The movement for affiliation of the schools of the 4 Hilis District to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has reached a “point of no-return”. The students’ community under the banner of ANSAM are doing its best effort to achieve it. The campaign being launched by ANSAM in the 4 hills district of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong to save the Naga Students’ and Nagas history.
It is pertinent to mention that the Manipur Govt. imposed the Meities history, culture and script on the minority Nagas in the syllabus of the Manipur Board that is being taught in hundreds of Schools in Naga Areas. Manipur Govt. under the Meitei Community neither allows Naga Students to undergo CBSE nor ICSE with the strong denial of issuing “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) leading to the total deprivation of the educational rights of the Nagas. Moreover Meities deliberate attempt to erase the history and culture of the Nagas by imposing Meities culture, language and history on the Naga students’ is a serious matter for the Naga people, particularly Nagas in Manipur state and in general the Naga people. This is a great challenge for the Naga people. Thousands of . Naga students’ whose academic year could be in jeopardy if not tackle the situation in time. We cannot allow our students’ to suffer.
In this connection, the Honorable Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri. Neiphiu Rio and his DAN Government took initiative in approaching New Delhi for the cause of thousand of Naga Students’. On the other hand, the Chief Minister of Manipur Shri Ibobi Singh and his team are also camping in New Delhi meeting cross sections of Central leaders to blockade the Naga demands.
The Indian Government is hesitating to take decisions on the issue fearing another uprising similar to the Manipur uprising following the declaration of ceasefire between NSCN (1M) and Govt. of India in all Naga inhabited areas. The issue of School affiliation came up for discussion on the concluding day of the Manipur state Assembly on 18th Sept.06 and the Education Minister Shri. L Nantakumar Singh has declared that the Govt. cannot concede demand of Naga NGOs. It is surprised to see that “No Naga 11 MLAs” could stand for the rights of the Nagas on the floor. The rights and demands of the Nagas are all based on facts and truths but the Naga representatives, 11 MLAs are not able to speak for the Naga people in the state Assembly. If the people representative cannot speak or protect the rights of its own people then to whom the people will approach for their solution?
I sincerely appeal to all the 11 honorable Naga Ministers and MLAs to protect the rights of your people before it is too late. The time has come to speak or act with one voice, for the interest of Naga Nation.
CH. Dai Veimy
Senapati Bazar, Senapati Dist. H.Q.
