Kohima, February 10: The All Nagaland Ad-hoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG) – 2015 batch on Tuesday resolved to intensify its agitation by proceeding with an indefinite hunger strike, as its peaceful sit-in protest entered the sixth day without any concrete response from the state government on their long-pending demand for service regularisation.
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| Nagaland ad-hoc teachers of the 2015 batch stage a protest demanding immediate service regularisation, holding placards in Kohima. |
Speaking to the media at NSF Solidarity Park, a core committee member described the sixth day of protest as a “silent day”, stating that no official communication had been received from the government. As a mark of solidarity and protest, members wore black armbands, symbolising resentment over what they termed a prolonged and unjust delay.
Despite the agitation, ANATG said it would not compromise students’ interests. Teachers handling Class 10 were allowed to return to their respective postings in view of the upcoming HSLC examinations. Around 40 members have already left the protest site to assist in conducting the exams.
The group said it had submitted a letter to the Principal Director on Monday, warning that an indefinite hunger strike would be launched if no satisfactory response was received by 4 pm. Although some core committee members were later verbally requested by officials to defer the hunger strike for a day, with assurances of a response, no communication was received even after official working hours.
With many members travelling from distant districts such as Tuensang and Mon, sustaining the sit-in protest has become increasingly difficult, ANATG said. Left with what it called “no alternative”, the group announced that the hunger strike would begin from the first hour on Wednesday, irrespective of formal permission.
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Around 14–15 teachers will participate in the initial phase of the hunger strike. Female members have been excluded from the fast, the group said. This marks the third agitation and third hunger strike launched by ANATG for the same demand. Recalling past experiences, the member noted that earlier hunger strikes had to be curtailed due to health complications, but volunteers this time were determined to continue.
Despite having served between 14 and 32 years without regularisation, ANATG said it still reposed faith in the government and hoped for a positive response, even at a late hour, that could influence the course of action.
Meanwhile, protestors have shifted their protest site to the Capital Convention Centre, reiterating that they remain open to any official communication and will take collective decisions accordingly.
