ANHTU begins indefinite silent protest

[caption id="attachment_102378" align="alignleft" width="550"] Aggrieved Hindi teachers holding placards during silent protest at the office of DEO, Kohima, on March 10.[/caption] To hold State-wide agitation at DoSE on March 15 Our Correspondents Kohima, March 10: As part of its second phase agitation, aggrieved 1379 CSS Hindi teachers under the aegis of All Nagaland Hindi Teachers Union (ANHTU) began an indefinite silent protest at the office of SDEOs and DEOs across the State for non-payment of salaries for the past nine months. In its first phase agitation, Hindi teachers across the State had worn black badges to school on March 8 and 9 as a sign of resentment to the government for non payment of their salaries.In Kohima, Hindi teachers from the subdivisions of Kohima, Chiephobozou, Zubza and Tseminyu gathered at the office of DEO Kohima since 9 a.m. holding placards some of which read ‘Treat us with equality,’ ‘Give us our rights’ etc. [caption id="attachment_102377" align="alignleft" width="550"] SDEO office locked down by agitating CSS Hindi teachers in Mokokchung on March 10.[/caption] Extending support on the decision made by the CSS along with ANHTU central body on February 28, ANHTU Kohima unit president, Kekhrieneilie Tsikhano said the agitation in the form of silent protest will continue till March 14. He however, informed that there will be no disturbances in the functioning of the offices. Tsikhano also informed that a State-wide agitation will be held on March 15 at the Directorate of School Education (DoSE) and also continue its agitation till the demand for payment of 9 months salaries is met. Talking to media persons, Tsikhano and Nelson Yhokha, information and publicity secretary, said there has been no response from the government till date despite submission of a memorandum on January 25 with an ultimatum to pay their salaries within March 1-7. Highlighting the numerous problems being faced by the teachers due to non-payment of salaries, they said Hindi teachers have been suffering from the day they were appointed as the payment of their salaries have been very irregular. While many teachers are struggling to even extend their support in the agitation, they asserted that this time they will not accept anything less than the payment of all the nine months due to the teachers. It may be mentioned that on November 16 last, DoSE in a meeting held with ANHTU and CSS executive members, had assured to try every possible effort to address their pending salaries within December 2016. However, till date no action has been taken for payment of salaries of 1379 CSS Hindi teachers. Similarly, CSS Hindi teachers of Wokha Unit undertook first phase agitation at the offices of DEO and SDEO Wokha by wearing black badges signifying resentment against the government for failing to release nine months pending salary. The unit convenor Mhonthung Lotha stated CSS Hindi teachers had remained discipline and waited so long for the government to response by withholding many protests. He further informed that CSS Hindi Wokha unit will also join in the State wide protest March 15 at Kohima. Mokokchung: Frustrated over non payment of salaries from June 2016 - March 2017, CSS Hindi teachers under the banner of All Nagaland Hindi Teachers’ Union (ANHTU) today picketed the office of District Education Officer (DEO) and every offices of Sub-Divisional Education Officer (SDEO) in Mokokchung district. More than sixty CSS Hindi teachers staged protest infront of DEO and SDEO offices in Mokokchung while in Changtongya and Mangkolemba, CSS Hindi teachers staged the protest in their respective SDEO offices. The agitation is being conducted in phase manner under the directive of ANHTU. In press release, ANHTU Mokokchung Unit president Chubanukshi stated the inaction of the government on timely release of salaries has forced CSS Hindi teachers to agitate on several occasions. "The excuse of not releasing our pay and arrears has always been that the Central government has not release the fund. It is observed that even when the money is received, we are not paid our salaries on a monthly basis. This results in late submission of utilisation certificates to the Central authorities and subsequently led to the late arrival of sanction from the Centre," the statement alleged. The statement further informed that ANHTU will hold protest at the Directorate of School Education, Kohima, on March 15, 2017. "The constant and prolonged discrimination of the Hindi teachers paid under CSS cannot be comfort with empty assurance," the statement stated.