Regularisation row: ANATG-2015 batch protest continues, no breakthrough

All Nagaland Ad-hoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG)- 2015 batch resolved on Tuesday to intensify its agitation by proceeding with a proposed indefinite hunger strike, even as the protest entered its sixth day with no breakthrough on the long-pending demand for service regularisation.
Speaking to the media at NSF Solidarity Park here, one of the core committee members described the sixth day as a “silent day,” with no communication received from the government during the ongoing peaceful sit-in protest.
As a mark of respect and solidarity, ANATG- 2015 batch members wore black armbands, which he said also symbolised their resentment over prolonged delay in addressing their demands. He stated that despite the ongoing agitation, the group had decided to allow teachers handling Class 10 to return to their respective places of posting in view of the forthcoming HSLC examinations.
He said around 40 members had already left the protest site to assist in conducting the examinations, reiterating that the group would continue to prioritise students’ interests irrespective of the treatment meted out to them by the government.
Providing an update on interactions with the state government, the member said ANATG had submitted a letter to the principal director earlier on Monday threatening to intensify agitation by launching a hunger strike if no positive or satisfactory response was received by 4pm.
He said while the protest was permitted only between 9 am and 4 pm at the protest site, the decision to intensify the agitation had already been taken before the stipulated deadline.
However, he informed that after the protestors had dispersed in the evening, some core committee members were called to the Secretariat and were verbally requested, through the director on behalf of the principal director, to hold the hunger strike for at least a day, with an assurance that a response would be forthcoming on Tuesday.
The member said no such response had been received even after the official working hours ended.
Further, he pointed out that sustaining the sit-in protest was becoming increasingly difficult, particularly for members who had travelled from far-flung districts such as Tuensang and Mon.
Given the circumstances, he said the group was left with no option but to intensify the agitation and proceed with the hunger strike, irrespective of whether permission was granted or not.
The member announced that the hunger strike would commence from the first hour on Wednesday, with a sizeable number of volunteers already coming forward. He said this marked the third time the ANATG had launched an agitation for the same demand and the third instance of resorting to a hunger strike.
Recalling previous hunger strikes, he said some participants had been compelled to withdraw due to health complications. This time, however, he said the volunteers had resolved to continue the hunger strike without withdrawal. He added that female members had not been included in the hunger strike, and that around 14 to 15 teachers, including himself, would participate in the initial phase.
Responding to queries on expectations from the government, he said the group continued to repose faith in the government despite having served for periods ranging from 14 to 32 years without regularisation.
He said ANATG was still hopeful that a positive response could be issued at the earliest, even as late as Tuesday night, which could potentially influence the course of action planned for Wednesday.
He maintained that while the official working hours ended at 4 pm, the group remained open to considering any communication or official intimation from the government, should it be received later, and would deliberate collectively before deciding on any change in strategy.
Meanwhile, the protestors have relocated their protest site to Capital Convention Centre.