Mizoram Scholarship Protest Called Off After Govt Assures Disbursement

The Mizo Zirlai Pawl student body called off its agitation after the state government assured disbursement of scholarships following approval by the Election Commission. Hundreds of students were protesting over the alleged negligence of the state scholarship board to disburse money.

Aizawl, Nov 16: The Mizoram Student Union (MZP) called off its agitation late on Thursday after the state government assured the disbursement of scholarships following approval by the Election Commission.

Scholarship Money Not Disbursed Due to Model Code of Conduct

Earlier in the day, officials said that the scholarship money was not disbursed due to the model code of conduct being in place for the state assembly polls held on November 7 and that they were waiting for the Election Commission's nod. The counting of votes will take place on December 3.

MZP Calls Off Agitation After Election Commission's Approval

MZP general secretary Chinkhanmanga Thomte said that the agitation was called off at 8:30 pm on Thursday as the Election Commission has approved the petition to disburse the scholarship money. Hundreds of students, under the aegis of MZP, were protesting from Tuesday over the alleged negligence of the state scholarship board to disburse money. They demanded that the second installment of scholarship money be immediately released to the beneficiaries.

Students Staged Sit-In Outside Scholarship Board Office

The protesters staged a sit-in outside the Mizoram Scholarship Board office in Aizawl and prevented the officials from entering the premises on Thursday. After a meeting with Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who asked the scholarship board and higher and technical education department to release the scholarship money on Thursday, the students decided to intensify their agitation by going on an indefinite hunger strike.

Over 19,000 Students Entitled to Receive Scholarships

According to the student organization president H. Lalthianghlima, a total of 19,495 students, including 3,010 studying outside the state, are entitled to receive scholarships. He said that the state government received over Rs 17.87 crore of funds for the disbursement of scholarships for the second installment in September.

The students have been demanding the release of the second installment of scholarship money, which was due in September. The state government had earlier said that the money would be disbursed after the assembly elections, but the students were not satisfied with this response.

The MZP's agitation had received support from various student organizations and political parties in the state. The Congress party had even threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the government did not release the scholarship money immediately.

The state government's decision to release the scholarship money is likely to defuse the situation and prevent further protests by the students.