Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 27
Tenth day into the indefinite hunger strike, Aggrieved Teachers Association Nagaland (ATAN) has decided to continue its agitation even as the Chief Secretary today, April 27 gave a written assurance that the 1095 doubtful category teachers would be regularized/reappointed after “verifying only the educational certificates for giving the clearance” to be verified by the Vigilance Commission.
The letter was addressed to the Naga Students’ Federation president Kelhouneizo Yhome and that the verification exercise would be completed within 30 days. ATAN said it was not satisfied with the letter as the contents were similar to the Cabinet memo of April 24, 2012.
NSF president said the federation was supporting the cause of ATAN members who have been serving for 7-8 years. “It is not the fault of the teachers but the government which appointed them,” he said. However, he made it clear that those possessing fake educational certificates should be terminated.
“Now that the NSF has intervened, we will see that the issue is resolved to its logical conclusion. We will not allow the government to take us for a ride,” he added.
Earlier today, the NSF president with his colleagues visited the ATAN agitation site. He suggested them to suspend the agitation temporarily, stating that “...as human being any problem can be resolved through umbilical dialogue between two parties.”
The president commented on the March 21, 2011, Cabinet’s decision that it had to be kept in abeyance because there was much “hue and cry” from different communities, which made the government to take a “U turn”. “...every decision have been deferred from one decision to other,” adding that from March 8, 2009 till date the cabinet has made eight decisions on ATAN issue.
He suggested that ATAN should give a “time bomb” dateline to the government so that a firm decision would be given. “...the government and the department cannot take more than a month to solve the issue,” he said.
Affirming that the issue is not just about aggrieved teachers but also the erring officers, Yhome said there are 37 officials implicated in the SIT report. “What about the erring officials?”
He said 16 alleged officers have retired, three were promoted and sent to other department on deputation and another 16 are “still enjoying” in the department. Also, after the ATAN issue surfaced, the Director of the School Education, now retired was suspended.
Fulfil our demand!
AN ATAN hunger strike volunteer said government is sowing the “seeds of violence” and would not “hesitate to take up arms”.
Querying on the statement, an ATAN executive member however, said that it is not an agenda of ATAN to resort to arms but if things turn out ugly, people will be desperate and might resort to anything to survive. “...people will be compelled to do something that is not lawful.” He also said ATAN appreciates NSF’s approach.
Also, since the indefinite hunger strike started, 30 aggrieved teachers have been admitted to Dimapur District Hospital for medical attention.
