Tribal students protest scholarship delay at Tribal Welfare Department, lock office, confront officials, and demand immediate release of pending stipends. The agitation highlights administrative delays, student hardships, and urgent calls for government intervention.
A tense situation unfolded at the Tribal Welfare Department on Friday as a group of tribal students staged a strong protest demanding the immediate release of long-pending scholarships and stipends meant for higher education. The protest disrupted normal functioning of the department and drew attention to what students described as years of administrative neglect.
According to sources, dozens of agitating students gathered outside the department office and later locked the main gate as part of their demonstration. Raising slogans against the authorities, the students accused the department of deliberately delaying scholarship payments for four to five years, severely affecting their academic progress and financial stability.
The protesting students claimed that despite sufficient funds being allocated for tribal welfare scholarships, payments were repeatedly stalled due to bureaucratic hurdles. Many students said they were forced to borrow money or discontinue studies due to non-receipt of scholarships that were crucial for tuition fees, accommodation, and basic living expenses.
During the agitation, tensions escalated when a group of students reportedly confronted a departmental official. Allegations of misbehaviour surfaced, further intensifying the situation inside the office premises. Security concerns grew as the students continued their protest by locking the office and refusing to disperse until assurances were provided.
In a dramatic development, the protesting students directly contacted Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma over the phone from inside the department office. They detailed their grievances, accused certain officials of negligence, and urged the minister to intervene immediately to ensure the release of all pending scholarship and stipend amounts.
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Sources said the minister assured the students that the matter would be reviewed and appropriate action taken against those responsible for the delays. However, the students maintained that they would continue their protest until concrete steps were initiated.
The incident has once again highlighted the persistent challenges faced by tribal students in accessing government welfare schemes, raising serious questions about accountability, transparency, and administrative efficiency within the Tribal Welfare Department.
