ENSF slams ANSTA for ‘unwarranted intrusion’

The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has expressed “strong indignation and outrage” over what it termed as the “audacious and unwarranted attempt” of the All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) to question or comment upon the directives and authority of the federation.
In a statement issued by its media cell, ENSF, an apex student body representing the eight tribes– Chang, Konyak, Eastern Sumi, Phom, Khiamniungan, Tikhir, Yimkhiung and Sangtam– termed ANSTA as “a mere welfare grouping of government employees belonging to a single department,” to question or comment upon the directives and authority and mandate of a tribally constituted body like ENSF.
ENSF said it finds it highly contemptible and absurd that an association lacking any recognition, legitimacy, or jurisdiction within the Eastern region should dare to intrude into matters exclusively concerning the tribal populace and its collective rights.
ENSF categorically asserted that ANSTA holds “no operational standing, moral validity, or functional authority” within the Eastern jurisdiction, and that its statements were “null, void, and inconsequential.”
Stating that ENSF “stands far above and beyond the so-called ANSTA” or any other welfare body in the State, the federation reminded that its legacy, achievements, and authority were testament to its legitimacy as the voice and guardian of the Eastern people.
“By what authority, on whose mandate, and with what legitimacy does it (ANSTA) presume to challenge or question the directive of ENSF in a region where it holds no acceptance or respect?” ENSF questioned.
ENSF described ANSTA’s “reckless insolence” as a direct affront to its sovereignty and tribal authority, and alleged that it was “a calculated attempt to provoke, discredit, and destabilize the tribal educational structure that ENSF has safeguarded for decades.”
Vowing not to remain silent, ENSF warned that it would take stringent and uncompromising actions to protect its members, institutions, and the student community from any external interference or manipulative designs of any organisation.
ENSF declared that it would not entertain, respond to, or recognize any directive, appeal, or communication from ANSTA or its functionaries within the Eastern jurisdiction.
“The teaching community must not forget that it was ENSF that defended and shielded the teachers during times when illegal forces exploited them through illegitimate and coercive practices,” ENSF reminded, adding that it has consistently protected the sanctity of education and the dignity of teachers even when others chose silence and complacency.
Describing ANSTA’s recent move as “arrogant, provocative, and intimidatory,” ENSF declared such behaviour “unacceptable, intolerable, and condemnable in the strongest terms.”
It further cautioned that any attempt by ANSTA to undermine, challenge, or interfere with ENSF’s directive would invite decisive and immediate retaliation.
It also warned that ENSF would not hesitate to issue withdrawal orders against any citizen under its jurisdiction found associating with or endorsing ANSTA or any group acting in defiance of the federation.
ENSF further urged all Eastern citizens to remain vigilant against vested individuals or external forces attempting to manipulate the community under the guise of welfare activism.
Reaffirming its stand, ENSF directed all its federating units to ensure that no school or teacher under their jurisdiction participates in ANSTA’s proposed pen-down strike. It warned that any instance of disobedience would be recorded and submitted to the federation for disciplinary action, including permanent disassociation from ENSF’s jurisdictional privileges.
ENSF declared that it remains resolute, fearless, and uncompromising as the legitimate and sovereign voice of the eight tribes of Eastern Nagaland, and vowed to continue defending the sanctity of education, protecting the rights of students, and upholding justice and dignity with unyielding resolve and absolute command.