Kohima, May 1 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) held a joint press conference with media persons at the DUDA Guest House, Kohima today. The conference was held to discuss matters related to exemption of tax imposed upon the teaching community by different Naga political groups.
Representatives from the NSF and the ENSF informed of its resolution that “no Naga political groups/organizations/individual would be allowed to impose taxes upon educational institutes, particularly to the teaching community in all the Naga inhabited areas in any manner.”
The resolution further stated that “any Naga political group/organization/individual found intimidating or threatening any student leader or leaders of the teaching community would be considered as a direct challenge and insult to the office of the NSF and ENSF.” It added that such incidents would “not be tolerated by the Federations under any circumstances.”
The Federating units of both the NSF and the ENSF resolved to issue a concrete directive to ANSTA to ensure their sincerity and efficiency while discharging their responsibilities. The organizations further resolved to “pressure” the government authorities to immediately address the issue of teacher shortages in all educational institutions. The press conference was held after a joint consultative meeting with all the Tribal students’ Unions, the first ever meeting of its kind.
Speaking to media persons, Kelhouneizo Yhome, President of the NSF stated that members of the NSF and ENSF in 2012 had undertaken a joint tour of Nagaland visiting all the Naga political groups to persuade them for an exemption of taxes on the teaching community. He informed that the groups had assured both the NSF and ENSF to take up the issue during the winter assembly of the Tatar Hoho. However in spite of telephonic conversations in January 2013 and a reminder note sent to the different groups after a joint meeting of the Federations in March, the issue had not yet been resolved till date. The NSF & ENSF expressing dissent on the issue of demand notes to the teaching community asserted that matters like these cannot be tolerated.
Acknowledging the efforts of the National workers in their duty to the nation, President of the ENSF, Likhumse Sangtam expressed disappointment on the national workers for not responding to the letters of the Federations. He urged them to come forward in building the society and taking it to new heights by respecting and abiding with the resolution of the Federations’ decision. The Federations added that no memorandum or letters would be further addressed to any Naga political groups on the same issue.
Commenting on the issue of tax exemptions on other departments of the state, both the federations stated, “The efforts of the teachers have been primary in all departments. Hence, there should be no confusion regarding the exemption of taxes on the educational sector by other departments.” Urging the State government to look into the matter of teacher shortages in the educational institutions, he also stressed on the need for teachers to do their jobs dutifully.
On the issue of the recognition of more tribes in Nagaland, both the bodies reiterated their primary concern as the welfare of the students. They stated that it was the prerogative of the state government and the Tribal Hohos and that the decision would depend on the people.
