Ukhrul | June 24 : A rousing reception was accorded to the touring 12-member NSF team by the Raphei Katamnao Long (Northern Tangkhul Students’ Union) at Awangkasom junction around 51km short of Ukhrul on Thursday night, a day ahead of the consultative meeting with Tangkhul frontal organisations and intellectuals. A short reception programme was held at the junction where the NSF team was felicitated by the waiting RKL office bearers.
On Friday, the consultative meeting was held at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) hall where leaders from the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (Students’ Union), Tangkhul Naga Long (Tangkhul Hoho), Tangkhul Shanao Long (Women’s League), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (Youth Council), Tangkhul Wungnao Long (Headmen/GBs Association) and intellectuals attended. Representatives from ANSAM also participated in the meeting.
NSF pursuing affiliation of schools in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur with NBSE
NSF president Kelhouneizo Yhome reiterated that the Federation’s objective of the goodwill tour is to gather views and opinions of the Naga people on certain issues confronting the Naga people. Having committed to work for the upliftment of the Naga society and younger generation, Yhome said the Federation will go back to its headquarters and sincerely take up issues after careful analysis of the people’s views and suggestions gathered during the tour.
Opening the deliberation on education reforms, Yhome said the NSF is pursuing the affiliation of schools in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur with NBSE. He said the Government of Nagaland has already agreed to affiliate any school from any state with the NBSE. The only stumbling block in getting the schools affiliated is that the Manipur Government is reluctant to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the schools of Naga areas in Manipur. He said there was no reason why the Government of Manipur should refuse to issue the NOC. Yhome urged the ANSAM to pressurize the Government to issue the NOC without delay.
A former president of Tangkhul Students Union (TKS), Wungnaoshang A. Shimray pointed out that there was not a single chapter on the Nagas in the syllabi of the schools in Manipur. He said there are no sufficient teachers in Government schools. He also maintained that the association of the Tangkhuls with the Meiteis will not sustain since the tribals have been exploited. “As long as we stay with this communal government, there will be no positive steps for the Nagas in Manipur,’ he added.
Urging the Manipur Government to send the right teachers to the schools in Naga areas, a teacher urged the NSF to support the student body TKS whenever they take up any genuine issues.
A former office bearer of TNL regretted that in spite of United Naga Council (UNC) severing all political ties with the Manipur government demanding alternative arrangement, some of its leaders were still accepting lucrative positions like ministers, MLAs etc. With such situation, he wondered how the rights of the tribals could be realized. In this regard, he urged the NSF to think of ways on how to handle such issues.
Pointing out that the Naga talks have been going on since 1997 but without tangible progress, he suggested if Naga frontal organizations like the NSF, Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association etc could be a part of the dialogue. He said that the people will support the particular group which could meet the public purpose.
Former NSF leader, Worthing Horam talked about the denial of Naga rights by way of not including any chapters on Naga history in the school textbooks under Manipur Government. He questioned why Manipur Government should always decide things for Nagas without studying the applicability of the policies in the context of the Nagas. “As long as we are under Manipur administration, our demands and rights will not be fulfilled,” he said.
A lecturer, Vareiyo Shatsang asserted that the education system in Manipur was a “fraud” since it was infested with corruption. He alleged that employment in government schools was given to the highest bidder which was compounded with the teachers being substituted by unqualified persons. On the Naga political issue, he opined that there needed to be “civil uprising” which could be one way of achieving the aspirations of the Nagas. “I don’t believe in submitting memoranda and petitions, but there should be a civil uprising, we must shed blood to bring solution,” he said.
Most of the speakers from the Tangkhul community spoke about their strong desire to have an alternative arrangement as demanded by the UNC.
ANSAM general secretary, Seth Shatsang pointed out that the Government of Manipur did not have official education policy and target. While implementing any central funds the government implements in the form of gift to the tribal people, he said. He also said that the government in the name of development is expanding its territory.
NSF social and cultural secretary, Khrielo said that the Federation was neither in support of one group nor against any group. He said that NSF will support the group which will bring an honourable and acceptable solution. On Saturday, the NSF delegation will be holding meeting in Chandel.
On Friday, the consultative meeting was held at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) hall where leaders from the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (Students’ Union), Tangkhul Naga Long (Tangkhul Hoho), Tangkhul Shanao Long (Women’s League), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (Youth Council), Tangkhul Wungnao Long (Headmen/GBs Association) and intellectuals attended. Representatives from ANSAM also participated in the meeting.
NSF pursuing affiliation of schools in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur with NBSE
NSF president Kelhouneizo Yhome reiterated that the Federation’s objective of the goodwill tour is to gather views and opinions of the Naga people on certain issues confronting the Naga people. Having committed to work for the upliftment of the Naga society and younger generation, Yhome said the Federation will go back to its headquarters and sincerely take up issues after careful analysis of the people’s views and suggestions gathered during the tour.
Opening the deliberation on education reforms, Yhome said the NSF is pursuing the affiliation of schools in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur with NBSE. He said the Government of Nagaland has already agreed to affiliate any school from any state with the NBSE. The only stumbling block in getting the schools affiliated is that the Manipur Government is reluctant to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the schools of Naga areas in Manipur. He said there was no reason why the Government of Manipur should refuse to issue the NOC. Yhome urged the ANSAM to pressurize the Government to issue the NOC without delay.
A former president of Tangkhul Students Union (TKS), Wungnaoshang A. Shimray pointed out that there was not a single chapter on the Nagas in the syllabi of the schools in Manipur. He said there are no sufficient teachers in Government schools. He also maintained that the association of the Tangkhuls with the Meiteis will not sustain since the tribals have been exploited. “As long as we stay with this communal government, there will be no positive steps for the Nagas in Manipur,’ he added.
Urging the Manipur Government to send the right teachers to the schools in Naga areas, a teacher urged the NSF to support the student body TKS whenever they take up any genuine issues.
A former office bearer of TNL regretted that in spite of United Naga Council (UNC) severing all political ties with the Manipur government demanding alternative arrangement, some of its leaders were still accepting lucrative positions like ministers, MLAs etc. With such situation, he wondered how the rights of the tribals could be realized. In this regard, he urged the NSF to think of ways on how to handle such issues.
Pointing out that the Naga talks have been going on since 1997 but without tangible progress, he suggested if Naga frontal organizations like the NSF, Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association etc could be a part of the dialogue. He said that the people will support the particular group which could meet the public purpose.
Former NSF leader, Worthing Horam talked about the denial of Naga rights by way of not including any chapters on Naga history in the school textbooks under Manipur Government. He questioned why Manipur Government should always decide things for Nagas without studying the applicability of the policies in the context of the Nagas. “As long as we are under Manipur administration, our demands and rights will not be fulfilled,” he said.
A lecturer, Vareiyo Shatsang asserted that the education system in Manipur was a “fraud” since it was infested with corruption. He alleged that employment in government schools was given to the highest bidder which was compounded with the teachers being substituted by unqualified persons. On the Naga political issue, he opined that there needed to be “civil uprising” which could be one way of achieving the aspirations of the Nagas. “I don’t believe in submitting memoranda and petitions, but there should be a civil uprising, we must shed blood to bring solution,” he said.
Most of the speakers from the Tangkhul community spoke about their strong desire to have an alternative arrangement as demanded by the UNC.
ANSAM general secretary, Seth Shatsang pointed out that the Government of Manipur did not have official education policy and target. While implementing any central funds the government implements in the form of gift to the tribal people, he said. He also said that the government in the name of development is expanding its territory.
NSF social and cultural secretary, Khrielo said that the Federation was neither in support of one group nor against any group. He said that NSF will support the group which will bring an honourable and acceptable solution. On Saturday, the NSF delegation will be holding meeting in Chandel.
