The All Arunachal Pradesh Student’s Union election being currently held in the state capital has been grabbing headlines for the past few days. The AAPSU is the apex students body of the state and wields huge influence not only over matters concerning the student community but also in socio-political matters.
The gusto with which the campaigning and voting process is unfolding is at a mind boggling level. The transformation of the students body from it’s humble yesteryears being is clearly on display. As students descended from across the state at the Gompa area, Zero point of Itanagar, the atmosphere is one of revelry with an undercurrent for all to see. The feeling that things might get out of control with just a spark is palpable. And today, incidents of violence marred the atmosphere, as feared.
The capital administration could have made a better decision while selecting the venue. The Gompa area is a populated residential area with key commercial establishments. The student body voting which began on May 18 has entered the fourth day today with no signs of ending yet. Public inconvenience is massive with movement curtailed or diverted; a school in the vicinity has been closed for days now as the situation is inconceivable for carrying out daily classes plus parents and teachers are worried, what “if”.
A student body election is important to bring in a change of guard but the inconvenience to rest of the populace could have been well avoided. The administration may use this election as textbook and work on managing future students election. All the same the student leaders are also expected to keep the dignity and image of the student community and the unions intact.