The All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG), 2015 batch, on February 10 entered the sixth day of its peaceful agitation at NSF Solidarity Park and announced that it would commence a hunger strike from February 11, citing continued delay and lack of a satisfactory response from the state government on their long pending demand for service regularization.
Bendangtemsu Ozukum, Core committee member informed that the sixth day protest was observed in silence as members remembered 28 colleagues who passed away while awaiting regularization, the most recent death having occurred last Saturday.
As a mark of respect and solidarity, all ANATG members wore black armbands, which also symbolized their resentment over the prolonged time lapse and perceived injustice faced by the batch.
Ozukum said despite the ongoing agitation, the member said it remains committed to its duties as educators. He highlighted that in view of the forthcoming HSLC (Class 10) examinations, around 40 ANATG members who are assigned Class 10 responsibilities were sent back to their respective places of posting to assist students. He reiterated that regardless of how they are treated, the welfare of students would remain their priority.
Ozukum said that a letter had been submitted to the Principal Director, School Education, on Sunday, stating that the agitation would be intensified through a hunger strike if no positive or satisfactory response was received by 4 p.m. on February 11. It was also mentioned that some core committee members were later called to the Secretariat and requested to hold off the hunger strike for the day with assurances of a response, no official communication was received even after the permitted protest hours ended at 4 p.m.
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Expressing disappointment, the Ozukum said logistical challenges are mounting, particularly for members who have travelled from far-flung districts such as Tuensang and Mon.
“With no concrete assurance forthcoming, ANATG stated it has been left with no option but to proceed with the hunger strike, irrespective of permissions,” he said.
Ozukum also stated that according to the decision taken, 14–15 male teachers, excluding female members on humanitarian grounds, have volunteered to begin the hunger strike from Wednesday morning.
“This marks the third time the ANATG has resorted to a hunger strike for the same cause since its formation,” Ozukum cited.
While announcing the next course of action, Ozukum said that they still have faith in the government and remains hopeful for an early and amicable resolution. He said that leaders any official communication, even at a later hour, would be considered and deliberated upon, and the course of action could be reviewed accordingly.
The ANATG 2015 batch comprises teachers who have rendered between 14 and 32 years of service and continue to demand regularization in line with previous assurances and agreements.
