Wokha/Mokokchung | June 21 : On the second day of its goodwill tour, the NSF on Tuesday visited Wokha and Mokokchung interacting with the apex bodies of both the communities on various issues. The first meeting was held with the Kyongs at DC Conference Hall, Wokha where the leaders spoke about the grievances that the district is facing and put forward their views on the issues.
The NSF is touring various parts of the state and deliberating mainly on three issues: education reforms, social and economic issue, and Naga issue. Breaking the ice on the interaction, NSF president, Kelhouneizo Yhome appraised the gathering on the objective of the tour. He said, “We are not here to direct any people or confront the government … not to solve or resolve anything. Moreover, we do not have any authority to make decisions but as a pressure group, we would build pressure on the appropriate authorities to decide what is best for the mass after hearing out their opinions.”
On the job reservation policy, he said that the NSF stands firm on its earlier demand for total review of the policy which should be in area and pocket wise and not on tribal lines. He said that the decision of the state cabinet to reserve 10 EAC posts for 10 tribes is another policy aimed at dividing the Nagas.
KSU president, Subenthung said the KSU is “totally opposed” to the cabinet decision of reserving 10 EAC posts for 10 tribes. Kyong Hoho president Yansathung said there is no classification in the Naga family as first class Naga or second class Naga but that everyone/tribe is equal. “So why should there be reservation anyway,” he said. However, he appreciated the NSF for demanding total review in the policy on area wise.
On the education system, several speakers rued the acute shortage of teachers in government run schools, overcrowding of students where there is a wide gap in the student-teacher ratio. On the RTE Act, few speakers expressed apprehension on the effective implementation of the Act as many of the teachers are not well trained about the RTE. Kyong Eloe Hoho president Thungjano Tsanglao on the importance of vocational training like stitching, tailoring etc to be imparted in schools.
With regard to oil extraction issue, the Kyong Hoho president said that the Kyongs have earlier resolved not to allow the ONGC to extract oil in Changpang since the company deceived them. He recalled that Kyong Hoho had set four pre-conditions to extract oil in Changpang. The conditions are: Installation of refinery at Bhagty; rehabilitation package for the displaced people; rent for the land rent and not compensation; and environmental aspects should be at international standard. He however said that all the points were subjected to discussion with the government.
Putting across the view of the Kyong community on the Naga issue, KH president Yansathung said there is so much confusion as one group wanted ‘solution first and unity second’ while another group says they wanted ‘unity first and solution second.’” The Lothas feel that both should go hand in hand as Nagas have no time,” he said. Yansathung said it is not only the factions who should unite but that the overgrounds should unite too.
Mokokchung
On the same day in Mokokchung, the NSF consultative meeting was attended by AKM, Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce, Ao Senden and intellectuals.
Prof Lanunungsang of NU articulated on three levels namely; lower level, college level and higher education level.
According to the Prof, the method of implementing and executing the education system at the lower level is “very bad” and nearing damage. Buttressing his point, Prof Lanu said there are hundreds of schools in the state with several teachers but without students. He categorized the lower level as from Class 1-VIII. He maintained that the syllabi for these classes are “extremely unproductive” with “useless textbooks.” In this regard, the Prof suggested reviewing the syllabi in the context of the current needs of the students.
Categorizing the college level as from Class 12 – Graduation, he said that the system is “more pathetic” since the method of teaching the students are “not at all appropriate.” He also emphasized on the importance of introducing vocational courses. At the higher level, the Prof pointed out that there are no technical colleges and job oriented institutions in the state. He urged the NSF to press upon the government to introduce vocational education at the higher education level. He opined that vernacular subjects for all tribes be compulsorily introduced at least upto Class 12 level. Further, Prof Lanu suggested that the NSF put up a demand to the government of India to grant a national level training institute in the state. According to the Prof, this is one way to improve and bring reforms in the education system. The NU Prof also highlighted certain irregularities taking place in the University.
Watsu Mungdang president, Dr. Imlirenla Walling reiterated its resolve to impress the government to include some chapters on woman’s rights and gender issues in the school syllabi. On the RTE Act, she wanted to know what are the measure and steps that the government has taken for effective implementation of the Act.
Emphasizing on the importance of teaching Naga history in the schools, she pointed out that Nagas are equipped with sufficient knowledge when it comes to foreign and Indian history but nil in Naga history.
Making the stand of the Aos on the Naga issue, the Ao Senden president Lendinokdang said the community believes that there could be no solution without negotiations. Basing on this point, he said the Aos have given their mandate to the Naga issue. He said that the mandate would automatically be withdrawn if talks fail since their mandate was an issue-based mandate. The president stressed on the need to know the talking points on the negotiating table since the two sides were negotiating for the Naga people.
On the job reservation issue, an AKM representative said it was discouraging that when the NSF is demanding total review of the policy, the government has instead enhanced the reservation for the backward tribes. He said it was an “injustice” to the rest of the tribes which is further dividing the Nagas. On the recent decision of the state cabinet to reserve 10 EAC posts for 10 tribes, the AKM said it is “strongly opposed” to the decision.
The NSF is touring various parts of the state and deliberating mainly on three issues: education reforms, social and economic issue, and Naga issue. Breaking the ice on the interaction, NSF president, Kelhouneizo Yhome appraised the gathering on the objective of the tour. He said, “We are not here to direct any people or confront the government … not to solve or resolve anything. Moreover, we do not have any authority to make decisions but as a pressure group, we would build pressure on the appropriate authorities to decide what is best for the mass after hearing out their opinions.”
On the job reservation policy, he said that the NSF stands firm on its earlier demand for total review of the policy which should be in area and pocket wise and not on tribal lines. He said that the decision of the state cabinet to reserve 10 EAC posts for 10 tribes is another policy aimed at dividing the Nagas.
KSU president, Subenthung said the KSU is “totally opposed” to the cabinet decision of reserving 10 EAC posts for 10 tribes. Kyong Hoho president Yansathung said there is no classification in the Naga family as first class Naga or second class Naga but that everyone/tribe is equal. “So why should there be reservation anyway,” he said. However, he appreciated the NSF for demanding total review in the policy on area wise.
On the education system, several speakers rued the acute shortage of teachers in government run schools, overcrowding of students where there is a wide gap in the student-teacher ratio. On the RTE Act, few speakers expressed apprehension on the effective implementation of the Act as many of the teachers are not well trained about the RTE. Kyong Eloe Hoho president Thungjano Tsanglao on the importance of vocational training like stitching, tailoring etc to be imparted in schools.
With regard to oil extraction issue, the Kyong Hoho president said that the Kyongs have earlier resolved not to allow the ONGC to extract oil in Changpang since the company deceived them. He recalled that Kyong Hoho had set four pre-conditions to extract oil in Changpang. The conditions are: Installation of refinery at Bhagty; rehabilitation package for the displaced people; rent for the land rent and not compensation; and environmental aspects should be at international standard. He however said that all the points were subjected to discussion with the government.
Putting across the view of the Kyong community on the Naga issue, KH president Yansathung said there is so much confusion as one group wanted ‘solution first and unity second’ while another group says they wanted ‘unity first and solution second.’” The Lothas feel that both should go hand in hand as Nagas have no time,” he said. Yansathung said it is not only the factions who should unite but that the overgrounds should unite too.
Mokokchung
On the same day in Mokokchung, the NSF consultative meeting was attended by AKM, Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce, Ao Senden and intellectuals.
Prof Lanunungsang of NU articulated on three levels namely; lower level, college level and higher education level.
According to the Prof, the method of implementing and executing the education system at the lower level is “very bad” and nearing damage. Buttressing his point, Prof Lanu said there are hundreds of schools in the state with several teachers but without students. He categorized the lower level as from Class 1-VIII. He maintained that the syllabi for these classes are “extremely unproductive” with “useless textbooks.” In this regard, the Prof suggested reviewing the syllabi in the context of the current needs of the students.
Categorizing the college level as from Class 12 – Graduation, he said that the system is “more pathetic” since the method of teaching the students are “not at all appropriate.” He also emphasized on the importance of introducing vocational courses. At the higher level, the Prof pointed out that there are no technical colleges and job oriented institutions in the state. He urged the NSF to press upon the government to introduce vocational education at the higher education level. He opined that vernacular subjects for all tribes be compulsorily introduced at least upto Class 12 level. Further, Prof Lanu suggested that the NSF put up a demand to the government of India to grant a national level training institute in the state. According to the Prof, this is one way to improve and bring reforms in the education system. The NU Prof also highlighted certain irregularities taking place in the University.
Watsu Mungdang president, Dr. Imlirenla Walling reiterated its resolve to impress the government to include some chapters on woman’s rights and gender issues in the school syllabi. On the RTE Act, she wanted to know what are the measure and steps that the government has taken for effective implementation of the Act.
Emphasizing on the importance of teaching Naga history in the schools, she pointed out that Nagas are equipped with sufficient knowledge when it comes to foreign and Indian history but nil in Naga history.
Making the stand of the Aos on the Naga issue, the Ao Senden president Lendinokdang said the community believes that there could be no solution without negotiations. Basing on this point, he said the Aos have given their mandate to the Naga issue. He said that the mandate would automatically be withdrawn if talks fail since their mandate was an issue-based mandate. The president stressed on the need to know the talking points on the negotiating table since the two sides were negotiating for the Naga people.
On the job reservation issue, an AKM representative said it was discouraging that when the NSF is demanding total review of the policy, the government has instead enhanced the reservation for the backward tribes. He said it was an “injustice” to the rest of the tribes which is further dividing the Nagas. On the recent decision of the state cabinet to reserve 10 EAC posts for 10 tribes, the AKM said it is “strongly opposed” to the decision.
