Members of the All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers’ Group 2015 Batch during the launch of their indefinite hunger strike over regularisation issue at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on February 11. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 11
The All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG)–2015 Batch today launched an indefinite hunger strike at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, with fifteen teachers volunteering to participate in the protest.
The strike, which was temporarily suspended in 2022, following the constitution of the High Powered Committee (HPC), resumed with a solemn prayer on Wednesday.
Speaking to media personnel, Media Cell ANATG informed that the group had sought permission to hold the protest outside the Nagaland Civil Secretariat area but was denied clearance.
Authorities reportedly cited the “unfortunate incident” that occurred at the Secretariat on February 6, as the reason for the refusal and scheduled the time for the protest from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Referring to the government’s statement, specifically the claim of ‘missing documents’ delaying the regularisation of their services, the Media Cell clarified that all requested documents had been compiled and submitted in 2024.
“During the summer break, a central team of teachers had reportedly stayed in Kohima for nearly three weeks to consolidate and submit all relevant records to the School Education Department,” it stated.
Validating the statement, the Media Cell produced a document copy of certification issued by the Principal Director, School Education which stated “the Department has verified and ensured that the details of all contract and adhoc employees appointed prior to June 6, 2016 and against sanctioned posts have been submitted.”
“The department has verified and ensured that there are no pending court cases concerning any of the employees whose details have been submitted,” it added.
“In so far as the claims of missing documents are concerned, ANATG has no explanation to offer, as this is beyond our purview,” the Media Cell stated, reiterating that all necessary documents had already been submitted.
On the seven-point agreement highlighted by the government, ANATG pointed out that these demands were first placed before the Commissioner and Secretary on February 4 evening.
However, the group expressed concern that the statement has not shared a comprehensive account of developments since then.
The Media Cell further noted that subsequent demands raised on February 6 including a call for immediate service regularisation have not yet been referenced in official communications. “It is disheartening and uncomfortable to see partial updates being issued,” it stated adding that ‘incomplete information is misleading.’
Meanwhile reaffirming its resolve, ANATG stated that regardless of the approach adopted by the district administration or the government, the decision to proceed with an indefinite hunger strike remains firm and final.
Recalling earlier phases of hunger strikes in 2018 and 2022, the group said that those protests maintained a system of replacing volunteers who withdrew due to health concerns, ensuring continuity.
However, it informed that this time, it has adopted a different approach wherein the fifteen volunteers have committed themselves to the hunger strike with no replacement, and will continue and sustained solely on water “as long as they can.”
It may be mentioned that the protestors have vacated the Capital Convention Centre by 4:00 pm, following which permission was given to them to stay nearby the Transport Office wherein the volunteers for the hunger strike has set up their tents.
However, at the time of filing this report, they were reportedly asked to vacate the area, and permission to use the Capital Convention Centre had been granted only till tomorrow.
