Dimapur, July 5 (MExN): Frontline Naga student organizations in the Naga areas of Manipur state have taken strong offence to the Manipur Government’s leveling allegations that Naga organizations/NGOs are using coercive methods on schools to adopt Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) prescribed textbooks. The All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Students Union Chandel (NSUC) and the Tangkhul Students Union Imphal (TSUI) in separate statements have slammed the allegations as a direct challenge to the aspirations of the Naga people and cautioned that Naga students are prepared for the worst.
“It is very unfortunate to learn that the Government of Manipur is directly challenging the aspiration of the Naga people by curtailing the right to education of their choice. The Naga students are prepared for the worst” a statement from the ANSAM through Ng. Sounii Khapa, Information & Publicity secretary, stated while unequivocally rejecting the allegations as “vile and cheap propaganda” to confuse and misinform the people. “The GOM’s attempt to intimidate the private schools by threatening to de-recognize them should they opt for NBSC syllabi is unfortunate” it stated while cautioning that the Naga students are ready to face the worst.
“The Naga organizations or NGOs have at no point of time forced any school/institution in the four Naga districts of Manipur to use other syllabi. We are only expressing our desire to have a common educational administration. The Government of Manipur and its machineries should realize the imposition of BSEM syllabi upon the Naga students denies the democratic right to education of the Naga people” the ANSAM asserted quoting Article 30 of the Indian constitution.
In the same vein the NSUC have also challenged Manipur Government’s contention. “NSUC as the apex student union of the seven Naga student units of Chandel district clarify that we resolutely decided, by exercising our democratic right, to adopt the NBSE prescribed textbooks from this academic session” the NSUC through its president Rl. Angdang Pakan and General Secretary TS. Molarshing stated. It strongly refuted that coercive methods were used. The union also asked Manipur Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh to correct the facts to avoid misleading the people. Also, the Tangkhul Students’ Union Imphal (TSUI) has on behalf of its people and students within its jurisdiction resolved to adopt NBSE prescribed textbooks beginning this academic session onwards.
While asserting that it was only exercising its democratic rights in adopting the NBSE textbooks, the TSUI through its President Tamsing Vashum and Joint Secretary Wonshim Raihing, questioned the rationale of the Manipur Government’s allegations that coercion and likened foul means are being employed on schools in the Naga areas to adopt NBSE textbooks. “The question of coercion and persuasion and other means, fair and foul to adopt NBSE does not arise. It is cheap propaganda of the desperate dominant rule (of the) State Government of Manipur. The adoption of NBSE syllabus is an expression of the Naga peoples’ willingness to have a common future” the TSUI asserted.
