Nagaland: ANATG-2015 batch begins indefinite hunger strike

The All Nagaland Ad-hoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG), 2015 batch, on Wednesday launched an indefinite hunger strike on the seventh day of its agitation, citing the absence of an official response from the state government on its demand for service regularisation.
Addressing media persons, ANATG representatives said that with no communication forthcoming, the group decided to intensify its protest by commencing the hunger strike at 12:10 p.m. During the day, members staged a silent protest at the Capital Convention Centre, where permission had been granted only till 4 p.m. After the permitted time expired, the group shifted to a private roadside location opposite NSF Solidarity Park under the aegis of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF).
They informed that 13 volunteers would participate in the hunger strike under the supervision of the core committee.
On the future course of action if the government remained unresponsive, the group said this was the third time ANATG had resorted to a hunger strike, recalling similar protests in 2018 and 2022. In previous instances, volunteers who withdrew were replaced to maintain a constant number, and at times liquid supplements were consumed.
However, this time the 13 volunteers would not be replaced. As participants withdraw due to health concerns, the remaining volunteers would continue until the last person. They added that the participants would confine themselves strictly to clean water without any supplements.
On the government’s reported request to defer the hunger strike, ANATG said that late in the evening prior to the scheduled launch, the director had verbally requested them to put it on hold, assuring that discussions would be held and an outcome conveyed.
Trusting the assurance, they postponed the strike for a day. However, no official communication followed.
Explaining the shift to a private site, the group said that unlike in 2018 and 2022, they were permitted to protest only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily this time, after which they had to disperse. Conducting an indefinite hunger strike under such conditions would defeat its purpose, they maintained.
They admitted that no formal permission had been granted for the new site but asserted that the hunger strike would continue.
Regarding medical arrangements, the group said it was in touch with the Chief Medical Officer’s office and private medical institutions for emergency support if required.