We want to see action, not written assurances – ENSF to Govt. –
Thousands of students turned up on the first day of the three-day phase I agitation launched by Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) in all four eastern Nagaland district headquarters from Tuesday.
On day one of the agitation, ENSF closed down all Government Middle Schools (GMS) and Government Primary Schools (GPS) in all the four eastern districts protesting against the failure to implement regular Mid-Day-Meal (MDM) scheme in the schools.
ENSF has asserted that the federation wanted to “see action, not written assurances” and said the student body would continue to protest until the responsible authority start serving MDM regularly to the students.
Tuensang: In Tuensang, thousands of students from 11 government schools of the town converged at the public ground. Later, they marched towards DC’s office and submitted a representation to Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang.
ENSF president Shahsha L. Menhahu cited CAG report which stated that in the programme audit on public distribution system in Nagaland from April 2008, cooked/ processed hot meal with minimum content of 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein was served each day of school for minimum of 200 days or 9-11 months in a year.
He also quoted the state annual plan and budget 2013-14 which reported that schools prepared and served hot/cooked meal to children on all working days. The ENSF president dismissed the report as contrary to facts.
Mon: In Mon, the first day of three-day agitation was launched by ENSF supported by Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) and Mon Town Students’ Union (MTSU). All GPS and GMS students took out a rally with banners and placards which read “We Want Food.”
The students converged at the KSU office premises and then proceeded towards DC office. Later, they submitted a memorandum to additional deputy commissioner, Mon and to the SDEO demanding regular implementation of MDM in all the schools.
KSU requested the district administration to convene an emergency meeting of all the MDM in-charges from every school within their respective jurisdictions and sign an oath of the assurance for the proper implementation of the scheme.
Longleng: Over 1,500 students of government run schools in Longleng town participated in the day-one phase I rally organized by ENSF and spearheaded by Phom Students` Conference (PSC) demanding full implementation of MDM scheme and other issues. Students proceeded towards the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Longleng to submit a representation.
ENSF assistant general secretary Topongchuba Chang alleged that state government had deprived the Eastern Nagaland people of many facilities while other districts of the state enjoyed the fruits of centrally sponsored schemes for the uplift of the poor students.
Kiphire: Along with Tuensang, Mon and Longleng, students in Kiphire headquarters took out a rally against the non-implementation of MDA scheme.
The rally in Kiphere was organized by United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC). A memorandum was was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire.
ENSF also submitted a representation addressed to DC requesting to convene an emergency meeting with the MDM in-charges and school signatories for proper implementation of the scheme.
Kiphere SDO (C) Dino Jongshi Chang who received the representations on behalf of the DC assured to call a meeting on November 8 with the MDM in-charges.
ENSF deputy speaker Sepili Sangtam accused the state government for submitting fabricated reports to the Centre on MDM implementation in Nagaland.
After submission of the representations, students marched to SDEO office and there, mid-day-meals were provided to all the agitating students.
No redeployment policy of govt: ENSF
Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF) has rejected the “redeployment policies” of the state government and stated that “no new policy/policies” of the government should affect the demands of the federation.
In a statement, ENSF president Shahsha L. Menhahu said the federation was not satisfied with the state government’s response through letters from the department of home and school education issued on November 2, 2013.
Asserting that the federation remained firm with its demands, ENSF warned the government not to “misinterpret or game around the bushes.”
“Government has always fooled the eastern backward tribes with many assurances in the past” said ENSF hardening its stance that it would not compromise with any more assurances but only through real action of implementation.
ENSF reminded that its demand was for the restoration of all those posts which were illegally transferred out from the region along with the incumbents for the past 3 decades or more.
The federation pointed out that such practice had been resorted to without the approval from the Central government and therefore did not require the same for restoration/recruitment or in fulfilling the Niathu resort assurance on February 3, 2012.
ENSF said redeployment policy of the government and even TET issues, would stand invalid and such policy could be accepted by the federation only after the complete fulfillment of all the assurances made during the Niathu Resort meeting.
ENSF reminded the government to ponder upon its point (2) demand made to SCERT regarding TET and the recruitment procedural demand without which the federation was not ready to compromise.
The federation also termed as “non laughing joke” the reason given by the state home department that the financial problem of the state was a drawback in fulfilling the demands. “Government with huge deficit is a failed state,” said ENSF.
Demanding nothing sort of “fresh recruitment”, the federation said reminded that it was due to random and excess backdoor appointment in NAP, that the surplus staff was creating chaos and confusions to the present situation when the state was facing financial crunch.
ENSF also said that it would continue with day 2 of the three-day agitation on November 6 in all the four eastern districts of Nagaland.
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