Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 5 (EMN): Discontented over the indifferent attitude of the government towards the demand to regularise their services, despite staging protest for the past 10 days, more adhoc teachers joined the ongoing hunger strike outside the Secretariat in Kohima on Wednesday.
The All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers' Group (ANATG) - 2015 batch has been holding agitation since September 26 and hunger strike for six days.
Member of ANATG 2015, Bendangtemsu Ozukum, informed that they are planning to intensify the hunger strike.
‘Some of them have volunteered to join (the hunger strike), expressing dissatisfaction at the attitude of the government. Therefore, we are compelled to increase the number,’ he said.
Initially, a total of 36 teachers took part in the hunger strike but at least half a dozen were hospitalised over the course of six days. One member is still in the hospital since Tuesday and her condition is reportedly stable, he added.
About three to four teachers came up to the core committee and informed that they have health issues and can bear no more. But despite informing them to rest at home, they volunteered to protest till the demand is met, Ozukum said.
After the meeting with the commissioner secretary of School Education and the chief secretary of Nagaland failed to break the deadlock, the ANATG submitted a representation to the chief minister seeking his intervention, while rejecting the formation of a High Powered Committee to look into the matter.
However, there has been ‘no initiative on the part of the government’ till date, Ozukum said.
"We are very sick and tired. Emotionally, mentally, physically, we are almost drained out," he said.
‘If the lack of interest from the government’s end continues, that will not be favourable for any of the parties,’ he said while requesting the government to at least try to redress their issue on humanitarian ground.
"We can always stretch out our hand and reach out to each other while trying to find an amicable solution to this long-standing tussle," said Ozukum.
‘The regularisation of ANATG-2015 batch has been pending for a very long time. More than 10 ANATG members have passed away while many of them are down with illnesses including two with cancer, waiting for service regularisation,’ he added.
He further requested those in power to look into the matter, show sympathy to the members and out an end to the hardships faced by the teachers.