State-wide bandh called by Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) has paralysed normal life as there is less or no public movement, government offices have remained closed for the past two weeks while schools and business establishments are yet to function normally.
The bandh has not only affected the normal day to day activities in the entire state but has also created problems for students who have started to appear their board examinations on February 14.
Though students appearing exams have been exempted, restriction on public transport has caused transportation problem for students who mostly depend on public transport.
In Dimapur, many students were seen walking to the centres where they will be appearing their board examinations. The students were also seen walking back home after appearing their exams.
One of the students, whose parents live in interior parts of Nagaland, complained that she had to walk all the way to the examination centre as she could not arrange transportation.
A group of students, walking back home, echoed that the student bodies should fight for the students who were appearing exams as the bandh was causing untold hardships.
Students harassed
It was reported that some students were verbally abused by bandh volunteers.
A female (HSSLC private candidate), on condition of anonymity, claimed that volunteers threw verbal abuses saying, “Tui dating jaishe naki?” (You must be returning from dating), supposedly referring to the Valentine’s Day which falls on February 14.
She said, “as private candidates, we don’t wear school uniforms, and therefore I showed my Admit Card as proof but one of the elderly volunteer told the younger ones to tear it saying, it was not needed.”
The female candidate said she was shaken by the uncalled behaviour of the volunteers, despite exemptions put in place for students. A hostel warden also disclosed that one of the students who was appearing for her HSSLC exams at Mount Mary Higher Secondary School, Chumukedima had to leave for her exams before 6 a.m. and had to wait till 6 p.m. since there was no autorickshaw to ferry her back.
NRMSATA appeals
Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association (NRMSATA) has expressed concern at the prevailing situation especially when the most crucial evaluation for classes 10 & 12 examination was on the run.
A press note by NRMSATA president, Renbemo L. Patton and general secretary. Kezhothito Keyho stated that this was not only the most crucial exam but also the most crucial and decisive period of a student’s life because this was the particular stage where they needed special attention from parents, teachers and society in general. It stated that this was also a challenging test where the student would decide which direction or in which field to go about as his/her academic career in future. In this regard, NRMSATA has earnestly appealed to both state government and the agitating groups to settle the current issue amicably without any further delay for the greater interest of the children and community as a whole.
Orgns laud
Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) has lauded and NTAC for agreeing to allow the students to write their exams. WSBAK has appealed the bandh enforcers not to trouble the student community as they need peace of mind to prepare for the exam.
WSBAK has extended best wishes to the students appearing for HSLC and HSSLC examinations conducted by NBSE and CBSE and prayed that God will give them sound mind and health. WSBAK has also called upon the student community not to use unfair means but trust in themselves and to God.
INTCWS: India Northeast Tribal Community Welfare Society (INTCWS) under its education wing Libra Consultancy, Notun Basti has acknowledged the bandh relaxation made by NTAC and JCC for the smooth conduct of exams saying it is a “wise decision” taken for the students’ welfare.
It has also extended best wishes to the students appearing HSLC/HSSLC exams and also advised the student community to take their exams honestly without indulging in any malpractices and unfair means so as not to hinder their academic career.
DRSU: Dimapur Rengma Students’ Union (DRSU) has also said that exempting 55, 190 students for appearing their examinations was indeed a fruitful decision made for student community.
DRSU has applauded JCC, NTAC and apex tribal bodies across Nagaland for their “high wisdom”.
The union also reminded all students not to deviate because of the present imbroglio in the state but to focus on their goals and future. It further appreciated the cooperation of volunteers.
The union while wishing the students for the ongoing examination has further stated that it would be monitoring the students within its jurisdiction for the exams to go ahead undisturbed and smoothly.