‘We are only demanding our genuine rights’

The Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) began its fourth phase agitation on Thursday by picketing offices of the District Education Officer in all the districts of the state.

NSSATA is demanding release of pending salaries and arrears. SSA teachers in some districts, including Dimapur, have not received their salaries for the past five months.     
In Dimapur, the SSA teachers picketed the DEO office from 9 am onwards. The DEO, Dimapur and other staff were prevented by the agitating teachers from entering the aforementioned office.

Members of the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland also met with the agitating teachers to express solidarity with the “genuine” demands of the SSA teachers. Urging the teachers not to compromise on their genuine demands and rights, ACAUT members said that the indifferent attitude of the government to the plight of the teachers was not only a crime against the teachers but also amounted to depriving children of education.

ACAUT members also stated that the suffering of the teachers was due to rampant corruption in the State Education Department. “Where is the money sanctioned for SSA teachers by the central government being diverted?” an ACAUT member asked and branded corrupt politicians and bureaucrats as “shameless” people.

Assuring the SSA teachers that ACUAT Nagaland would extend support to any form of movement or agitation against corruption, the members however urged them to ensure that their agitation is democratic and non-violent.

“We are not threatening the government. We are only demanding our genuine rights”, said an agitating teacher. An NSSATA member said that the picketing of all DEO offices will continue till May 9. “After that, if the government does not respond, we will be compelled to take more extreme measures”, he added. “The government officials are passing the bucks on the issue of fund for SSA teachers. We are confused as to who is the competent authority”, another teacher said.

In Wokha, the NSSATA Wokha unit observed the picketing of SDEO office Wokha, with support and cooperation from the Kyong Students’ Union (KSU), Wokha Circle Students’ Union (WCSU), Kyong Youth Initiative (KYI), and parents of the SSA Teachers. A press note from the Wokha unit informed that absentees during the ongoing agitation shall be imposed a penalty of Rs 500 per day. For any grievances, members can approach the Action Committee, NSSATA Wokha unit, it stated. Altogether, 250 members attended the first day of agitation in Wokha.

It may be mentioned the first phase agitation of the SSA teacher’s agitation was boycotting of classes from March 10-31. This was followed by sit-in protests in front of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and a silent procession and submission of memorandum to the Nagaland Governor last month.