The All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG), 2015 batch, on February 11 marked the seventh day of its peaceful agitation at NSF Solidarity Park, Kohima while also beginning its hunger strike outside Capital Convention Center.

Speaking to media persons, Bendangtemsu Ozukum, Core Committee member informed that the seventh day of their agitation has concluded having no response from the government. He also mentioned that ANATG 2015 Batch had to intensify by jumping into the hunger strike mode which was launched at 12:10 p.m.

Ozukum stated that during the day, the protests was at Capitol Convention Centre, and the permission there was given only till 4 p.m., after which they shifted to a private location opposite to the Naga Solidarity Park of the NSF.

“We have 13 hunger strike volunteers who will be stationed here and will be held by the core committee members,” Ozukum said.

Regarding the continuation, Ozukum said that the venue for that matter is still yet undecided. Ozukum stated that some members had also approached the district administration’s office to get the permission.

Ozukum said that this is not the first time that the ANATG is going ahead with the hunger strike but rather this is the third time. He said the first one being 2018, second on 2022 and now in 2026.

In the past, Ozukum mentioned that they have had the tradition or had the practice somebody bailing out from the hunger strike tent and someone replacing him or her thereby maintaining a constant number inside the tent.

He added that last time when they were inside a tent they would sometimes have some supplements, some food, liquid supplements and stuff like that. However this time, he said they have strictly confined themselves to just clean water and the 13 hunger strike volunteers will not be replaced.

“But as the bailing happens one after the other, till the last man, we will maintain, and we will go ahead with the hunger strike,” Ozukum noted.

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Ozukum said that ANATG 2015 Batch would like to leave that question to be answered by the fine wisdom of the government.

Ozukum highlighted that back in 2018 as well as in 2022 they did not have any issues while procuring location for hunger strike. But this time they have been asked to stage the hunger strike from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. during the daytime, disperse and then come back the next day and follow the same routine.

“Indefinite hunger strike in that manner would rather be a little too awkward as well as it will be too funny,” Ozukum said.