Nagaland: ANATG-2015 batch sit-in demonstration continues

All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG) 2015 batch on Monday observed another day of its ongoing sit-in protest outside the Directorate of School Education in Kohima.
The group reiterated its core demand for a specific and definite timeline for the service regularisation of its members, in line with the 2022 High-Powered Committee (HPC) agreement.
Addressing the media, a core committee member stated that the protest, which commenced on February 4, had seen multiple rounds of communication with the government.
Following a general meeting held on Friday, he said the group resolved to press firmly for a fixed date for regularisation. The member informed that the core committee subsequently submitted a representation to the commissioner & secretary through the principal director of school education.
In reply, the government acknowledged the contributions of the ANATG members and proposed deputing 10 members from the group to assist in screening and organising relevant documents.
However, on the primary demand for a definite regularisation date, the government stated that the process was already in progress and that it was unable to commit to a specific timeline.
“The reply was received around 6:30 pm on Friday, and only this morning were we able to convene a general meeting to deliberate on the way forward,” the member said.
He added that members engaged in extensive discussions, taking into account the various stages involved in screening, rectification, and issuance of regularisation orders.
Despite this, he said the prolonged delay was viewed as a failure to honour the 2022 HPC agreement.
“Our members feel that the wait since December 2023 has been more than sufficient. Many have stated that they will not concede to further negotiations and will not return until regularisation orders are issued,” he emphasised.
The member affirmed that the group would continue its peaceful and democratic protest indefinitely and may intensify the agitation unless a definite and justified timeframe is assured “in letter and spirit.”
Further, he disclosed that a high-level meeting at the chief minister’s level was scheduled for Monday afternoon.
“We are hopeful and praying that something positive will emerge,” he said, adding that all ANATG members remain assembled at the directorate of school education.
Recalling previous agitations, the member noted that in 2022—prior to the signing of the HPC agreement—the group had suspended (rather than called off) a hunger strike. “This time too, after receiving no response from the government, we recently undertook a 48-hour hunger strike. We are deliberating on further intensification through a hunger strike,” he stated.
ANATG 2015 batch has been agitating for the full implementation of the 2022 HPC agreement and the immediate regularisation of its members, who were appointed between 1994 and 2012.
Their recruitment process—including written tests, interviews, and document verification—was completed in 2017.
Meeting with advisor Yhome today: ANATG 2015 batch’s key meeting has been scheduled with advisor school education Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome on February 17 at 11am in Directorate of School Education.
According to ANATG core committee, the meeting was also expected to be attended by the signatories of high-powered committee (HPC).
Despite the scheduled talks, ANATG members reaffirmed that their agitation will go on until a clear and satisfactory decision is reached by the government.