Kohima, February 13: The All Nagaland Ad-hoc Teachers Group (ANATG) 2015 Batch has temporarily suspended its indefinite hunger strike while continuing its peaceful sit-in protest, as the agitation entered its ninth day on Friday.
 |
| Members of ANATG 2015 Batch stage an indefinite hunger strike during their sit-in protest demanding service regularisation in Kohima. (Image: File Photo) |
The decision followed a written communication from the Department of School Education (DoSE), which was reportedly handed over to the group through the All Nagaland Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) at around 8:30 pm on February 12. The protest, which began on February 5, seeks the long-pending regularisation of 1,166 ad-hoc teachers.
In its letter, the DoSE acknowledged receipt of representations and memoranda from ANATG and assured that the “legitimate” demands of the group are under active consideration. Principal Director Shashank Pratap Singh expressed concern over prolonged disruption of academic activities in several government schools and appealed to the teachers to withdraw the cease-work and resume duties in the interest of students.
The department also informed that it had received communication from the Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms (P&AR) seeking additional documents for 235 ad-hoc employees under the School Education Department for further examination by the Screening Committee for regularisation.
After examining the department’s response, the ANATG Core Committee convened a meeting and resolved that the peaceful sit-in protest would be discontinued only if and when the government provides a specific date for regularisation. The group also requested official deputation of ten members to assist in reviewing and overseeing documentation related to the regularisation process.
While placing the hunger strike on hold with immediate effect, the Core Committee clarified that it could resume if necessary and stated that the democratic protest would be fully withdrawn only when its conditions are met “in letter and spirit.”
In a subsequent reply, the department conveyed appreciation for the proposal to depute ten members and asked the group to submit their names and details. However, it reiterated that while efforts are being made to expedite regularisation, the process must strictly adhere to established government rules and procedures, and therefore a specific date cannot be provided.
ALSO READ: First Batch Completes FPV Drone Training at Nagaland Drone Centre of Excellence
The department urged the group not to resume the hunger strike or resort to further agitation, stating that a peaceful environment would help expedite the process.
Meanwhile, one volunteer on hunger strike was admitted to Naga Hospital Authority Kohima on Friday after developing gastric complications but was later discharged and reported to be stable.
The ANATG Core Committee has said it will discuss the department’s latest response with its general members on February 16 as the sit-in protest continues in Kohima.
