Tamenglong | June 26 : The NSF on Sunday held a consultative meeting with the Naga frontal organisations of Tamenglong district, Manipur at Mini Indoor Stadium, Tamenglong seeking their opinions of education reforms, socio-economic issues and the Naga political movement. The meeting was attended by representatives from Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union Assam,Manipur & Nagaland (AZSU AMN), Enpui Students’ Union Manipur, social workers, church leaders and intellectuals.
In his keynote address, NSF president, Kelhouneizo Yhome said that the Federation has a clear vision and purpose in visiting the grass root level. “It is very important for us to know the views of the people and we are ready to hear the grievance and problems faced by the people,” he added.
Education reforms:
President of Zeliangrongpui Boudi, Guiliangliu maintained that the education system in Tamenglong district was “nothing to be mentioned as an education centre.” Like the problems faced by Nagaland and the Hill districts of Ukhrul and Chandel, she also pointed out the appointment of unqualified teachers and practise of proxy teachers. She said that the Government of Manipur have been intimated several times about the problems but has always turned a blind eye and that most of the schools are existing only in name. She expressed regret that many teachers buy posts but ultimately fail to attend schools thereby depriving the students of their rights.
Guiliangliu reminded that Tamenglong district has been declared as one of the most backward districts in the country. She appealed the NSF to look into the matter.
Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) secretary, Chunthuigai Kamei said one of the problems faced in schools run by the Autonomous District Council is that most of the teachers are from Science and Mathematics background. On top of it, he said this group of teachers also do not come to schools in Tamenglong and remain in the Valley.
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He urged the people to raise a united voice against such practice. Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) chairman, Stephen blamed the parents for their preference to send their children to study outside the state or in the capital. Stating that the Meiteis are always manipulating the tribals, he appealed the NSF to step in such a situation.
AZSU (AMN) president, John said there are numerous schools but without proper buildings and infrastructure. He maintained that the village chiefs are also not sincere enough in looking after the state of education in their villages. He alleged that the village chiefs are distributing the salary meant for the teachers among themselves. He pointed out that the practice of transferring teachers along with posts is killing the purpose of quality education.
ANSAM president, Kumo Sha said that the continuous and intentional subjugation of the Nagas by the Manipur Government had compelled them to demand for Alternative Arrangement, before arriving at any final solution to the Naga political issue. He said that the ANSAM is in the middle of nowhere at this juncture as the severance of ties has been declared. “How can we demand anything from Manipur when we have severed all ties with the Government?” he asked.
To a query, he said that the students from the Hill districts of Manipur are not given scholarship by Nagaland Government since they are not a bonafide member of Nagaland state. He said the student has to be included in the Census count of Nagaland or included in the Voters’ list under Nagaland etc to be entitled for the Scholarship. Scholarship being a state fund, cannot be given to people outside the state, he added. Similarly, Kumo said that the Nagas from Manipur will also have to clear several formalities to be eligible for appearing in the NPSC.
Socio-economic issue:
AZSU AMN president, John Panmei highlighted about the Manipur Government’s plan to construct a dam downstream of Loktak Lake which would be affecting around 19 villages. In this project, the tribals are going to be worst affected with lesser benefits, he said. Further, he said that out of the 700 persons to be employed under the project, 500 are to be recruited from outside of Manipur and only 200 to be drawn locally. He said even the 200 persons will mostly probably be filled by the locals of Manipur. Stating that the catchment area of the dam extends till parts of the present state of Nagaland, he asked the NSF to pursue the matter with the Nagaland Government to oppose the construction of the dam. “This is the only option to save us,” he added.
Some of the speakers talked about the problems faced by the Hill districts of Manipur when the economic blockade was called by the NSF for more than 60 days last year.
Naga issue:
AZSU AMN president, John Panmei reminded about the demand for Frontier Nagaland, Alternative Arrangement etc by the Nagas and asked as to what will happen to the Naga people inhabiting Assam, Cachar and other areas.
He said that the Zeliangrong people too have a dream to have their own homeland and to fulfill it whether is within India or with the Nagas. “But the intention of our people has been kept on hold for sometime for the larger interest of the Nagas,” he said.
He said the Zeliangrong people are apprehensive as to what will happen when solution comes in piecemeal adding “we want all our brothers in Assam, Arunachal, Myanmar to be integrated.”
To this, the ANSAM president Kumo said there need not be any apprehension as it has been made clear time and again by the negotiating parties that the final solution will be beneficial, acceptable and honourable to all sections of the Nagas. Moreover, it has also been assured that the Naga leaders will come back to the people for consultation before arriving at any settlement, he said.
President of Zeliangrongpui Boudi, Guiliangliu said there should be “total transparency” in the Naga political movement.
Member of FNR, Rev Kaiba Riamei said that the Zeliangrong people are supporting the reconciliation process. Since NSF is in a good position to address the issue to all groups, political parties and the people, he expressed the hope that the Federation through its sincere efforts will immensely contribute towards achieving the goal of the Nagas.
On the last day of the first phase of its goodwill tour, the NSF delegation will be visiting Senapati on Monday.
In his keynote address, NSF president, Kelhouneizo Yhome said that the Federation has a clear vision and purpose in visiting the grass root level. “It is very important for us to know the views of the people and we are ready to hear the grievance and problems faced by the people,” he added.
Education reforms:
President of Zeliangrongpui Boudi, Guiliangliu maintained that the education system in Tamenglong district was “nothing to be mentioned as an education centre.” Like the problems faced by Nagaland and the Hill districts of Ukhrul and Chandel, she also pointed out the appointment of unqualified teachers and practise of proxy teachers. She said that the Government of Manipur have been intimated several times about the problems but has always turned a blind eye and that most of the schools are existing only in name. She expressed regret that many teachers buy posts but ultimately fail to attend schools thereby depriving the students of their rights.
Guiliangliu reminded that Tamenglong district has been declared as one of the most backward districts in the country. She appealed the NSF to look into the matter.
Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) secretary, Chunthuigai Kamei said one of the problems faced in schools run by the Autonomous District Council is that most of the teachers are from Science and Mathematics background. On top of it, he said this group of teachers also do not come to schools in Tamenglong and remain in the Valley.
Continued on page 5
He urged the people to raise a united voice against such practice. Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM) chairman, Stephen blamed the parents for their preference to send their children to study outside the state or in the capital. Stating that the Meiteis are always manipulating the tribals, he appealed the NSF to step in such a situation.
AZSU (AMN) president, John said there are numerous schools but without proper buildings and infrastructure. He maintained that the village chiefs are also not sincere enough in looking after the state of education in their villages. He alleged that the village chiefs are distributing the salary meant for the teachers among themselves. He pointed out that the practice of transferring teachers along with posts is killing the purpose of quality education.
ANSAM president, Kumo Sha said that the continuous and intentional subjugation of the Nagas by the Manipur Government had compelled them to demand for Alternative Arrangement, before arriving at any final solution to the Naga political issue. He said that the ANSAM is in the middle of nowhere at this juncture as the severance of ties has been declared. “How can we demand anything from Manipur when we have severed all ties with the Government?” he asked.
To a query, he said that the students from the Hill districts of Manipur are not given scholarship by Nagaland Government since they are not a bonafide member of Nagaland state. He said the student has to be included in the Census count of Nagaland or included in the Voters’ list under Nagaland etc to be entitled for the Scholarship. Scholarship being a state fund, cannot be given to people outside the state, he added. Similarly, Kumo said that the Nagas from Manipur will also have to clear several formalities to be eligible for appearing in the NPSC.
Socio-economic issue:
AZSU AMN president, John Panmei highlighted about the Manipur Government’s plan to construct a dam downstream of Loktak Lake which would be affecting around 19 villages. In this project, the tribals are going to be worst affected with lesser benefits, he said. Further, he said that out of the 700 persons to be employed under the project, 500 are to be recruited from outside of Manipur and only 200 to be drawn locally. He said even the 200 persons will mostly probably be filled by the locals of Manipur. Stating that the catchment area of the dam extends till parts of the present state of Nagaland, he asked the NSF to pursue the matter with the Nagaland Government to oppose the construction of the dam. “This is the only option to save us,” he added.
Some of the speakers talked about the problems faced by the Hill districts of Manipur when the economic blockade was called by the NSF for more than 60 days last year.
Naga issue:
AZSU AMN president, John Panmei reminded about the demand for Frontier Nagaland, Alternative Arrangement etc by the Nagas and asked as to what will happen to the Naga people inhabiting Assam, Cachar and other areas.
He said that the Zeliangrong people too have a dream to have their own homeland and to fulfill it whether is within India or with the Nagas. “But the intention of our people has been kept on hold for sometime for the larger interest of the Nagas,” he said.
He said the Zeliangrong people are apprehensive as to what will happen when solution comes in piecemeal adding “we want all our brothers in Assam, Arunachal, Myanmar to be integrated.”
To this, the ANSAM president Kumo said there need not be any apprehension as it has been made clear time and again by the negotiating parties that the final solution will be beneficial, acceptable and honourable to all sections of the Nagas. Moreover, it has also been assured that the Naga leaders will come back to the people for consultation before arriving at any settlement, he said.
President of Zeliangrongpui Boudi, Guiliangliu said there should be “total transparency” in the Naga political movement.
Member of FNR, Rev Kaiba Riamei said that the Zeliangrong people are supporting the reconciliation process. Since NSF is in a good position to address the issue to all groups, political parties and the people, he expressed the hope that the Federation through its sincere efforts will immensely contribute towards achieving the goal of the Nagas.
On the last day of the first phase of its goodwill tour, the NSF delegation will be visiting Senapati on Monday.
