ANATG 2015 Batch has been agitating demanding for the long-pending service regularisation of 1166 adhoc teachers. (Morung Photo)
• Peaceful sit-in protest to continue
• Demands specific date for regularisation from govt
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 13
The All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers Group (ANATG) 2015 Batch has temporarily called off its indefinite hunger strike while continuing its peaceful sit-in protest, as the agitation entered its ninth day on Friday. The decision comes following a written communication from the state government.
In a response addressed to the Commissioner & Secretary, School Education & SCERT, who also serves as the Member Secretary of the HPC Agreement 2022, the Core Committee of the ANATG 2015 Batch acknowledged receiving a letter from the authorities. The communication was reportedly handed over to the group via the All Nagaland Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) at approximately 8:30 pm on February 12.
The protest, which began on February 5, is being held to press for the long-pending service regularisation of 1166 adhoc teachers.
Late evening on February 12, the Department of School Education (DoSE), Nagaland has written a request letter to the aggrieved teachers to withdraw ongoing cease work and resume duties while acknowledging the receipt of various representations and memoranda by the ANATG on service regularisation.
The Principal Director, Shashank Pratap Singh expressed concern that the ongoing agitation has resulted in the prolonged closures of academic activities in several government schools resulting to academic loss to students.
Towards this end, the department assured that the ‘legitimate’ demands of ANATG are under active consideration, and that meetings has been held to address the issues in a time-bound and constructive manner.
The PD further informed that the department has received communication from the Department of P&AR on February 11 requesting submission of additional documents/records in respect of 235 (61 Group A&B, 174 Group C&D) adhoc employees under school education for the next stage of examination by the Screening Committee for regularisation of their services.
Accordingly, he stated that it has been notified and requested to submit all the required documents to the office, and that the government has already initiated action to meet the demands of ANATG-2015.
In this regard, it has requested the group to withdraw ongoing ceasework and resume normal teaching in all schools to restore academic atmosphere in the interest of the students and their future.
Meanwhile, upon receiving and examining the communication, the Core Committee convened a meeting and unanimously resolved on several points in the interest of the aggrieved teachers.
Firstly, the Core Committee decided to request the official deputation of ten ANATG members to assess and oversee the documentation already submitted to the Department for service regularisation.
The Core Committee has unanimously decided that the peaceful sit-in protest would be discontinued only “if and when the government or the department provides a specific date for regularisation.”
Also, in consideration of and respect for the written communication from the authority, the Core Committee unanimously resolved to keep the indefinite hunger strike on hold with immediate effect, subject to resumption of the same.
“The ANATG-2015 Batch shall suspend our democratic and peaceful protest only when the above points are agreed in letter and spirit,” it stated.
Govt accepts proposal to depute ten members
In response to the Core Committee ANATG today, the department has conveyed its appreciation and acknowledged the proposal to depute ten members of the ANATG 2015 Batch to assist in documentation and sorting of records related to the group. The Department has requested that the names and details of the selected teachers or employees be furnished for further action.
Yitsuchu Traka, Under Secretary has also clarified on point No. 2 by the Group that while sincere efforts are being made to facilitate and expedite the process of regularisation of adhoc/contractual employees, the procedure must strictly adhere to established government rules and formalities. In view of this, it stated that the Department will not be in a position to give specific date for regularisation.
It has ‘kindly’ requested the ANATG 2015 Batch not to resume the suspended hunger strike or resort to any other form of protest, which the Department maintained that a peaceful and conducive environment would allow all stakeholders to carry out their duties effectively and help expedite the process.
Meanwhile, the Core Committee has also informed that it will discuss this response with the general members on February 16.
On the third day of the hunger strike, one volunteer was admitted to the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) on Friday afternoon. It was informed that the person suffered gastritis, was administered some medicines and later discharged in the evening, and his condition was said to be stable.
