Students appearing examinations exempted from restrictions on movement
Kohima, Feb. 13: The state-wide total shutdown imposed by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) Kohima on Monday was held peacefully. No untoward incidents were reported till the time of filing of this report.
Remaining resolute on their stand in demanding chief minister TR Zeliang to resign owning moral responsibility to the events that unfolded from the conduct of the ULB elections, including the loss of three lives, the JCC and the NTAC announced that the total bandh would continue.
However, considering appeals made by various student communities and the public, the organisations have “exclusively” decided to exempt students who would be appearing the class X, XI and XII examinations to be conducted by the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE), from the purview of the bandh.
Around 55,000 students will be appearing the three board exams under NBSE in more than 70 examination centres across the state, starting from February 14.
Bandh from 8 am to 3 pm in Kohima
In Kohima, the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO) who is implementing the bandh, informed that in view of the NBSE examinations, students appearing said examinations and departments related to conduct of the exams are exempted from the bandh.
Other exemptions include: press personnel and newspaper hawkers, para military personnel, administration on duty, medical personnel and North/South police station under SP office Kohima. AYO also informed that public transportation such as buses, taxis and private vehicles will also be allowed to ply to meet the needs of students undergoing exams; water carriers would be exempted before 9 am and after 3 pm; and shops are to open after 3 pm to cater to the needs of the public.
JCC, NTAC warn against propaganda
Drawing attention to “false propagandas and rumours” questioning the functions and activities of the JCC and the NTAC with vested interest and political insinuation, the two committees on Monday made it clear not to politicise “this historic movement under any circumstance” as per the resolution of the coordination meeting of February 7, 2017 between the JCC, NTAC Kohima and the tribal apex hohos from all over the state.
“Therefore, we have no concern for any political party nor are we encouraged to notice any rift between themselves as power mongers. It would be more appropriate that the role and responsibility being discharged by the JCC and NTAC to bring healing to our wounded society in the interest of the Nagas,” stated an NTAC press release.
It further reiterated that the current demand of the JCC and NTAC is for TR Zeliang to step down from the chair of the chief minister on moral ground for ‘betrayal and the loss of lives’.
“The JCC and the NTAC, Kohima have neither advised anybody nor taken any decision to write on issues connected with political parties. We fully appreciate the freedom of speech and expression but it is unfortunate that without realising the gravity of the situation, we are being needlessly dragged into issues deviating from the actual issues and demand,” the release added.
The resumption of bandh in Dimapur on Monday was marked by the presence of a large number of women in various locations. The assembly of women was highest at PWD junction and outside the office of the deputy commissioner of Dimapur. The shutdown remained peaceful throughout the duration from 8 am to 5 pm.
In the evening, JCC officials were reported to have announced exemption of students appearing NBSE exams, and teachers on duty for the exams from the purview of the bandh.
Joint coordination committee of the Ao Senden- JCC (Ao Senden) today informed that the total bandh in Ao territory will continue in the same manner starting from 6 am to 6 pm from Tuesday onwards.
JCC (Ao Senden) also added that unless they received new directives from NTAC, the bandh will continue in the same manner.
It further informed that students who are appearing examinations, teachers/invigilators on examination duty; magistrates on duty, the police, and paramilitary; press personnel; hospitals and pharmacies have been exempted from the purview of the bandh.
Meanwhile, the dawn-to-dusk total shutdown across Mokokchung district called by JCC (Ao Senden) in view of chief minister TR Zeliang’s refusal to step down was observed peacefully without any incidents. Today’s bandh also saw members of Eastern Naga People Union Mokokchung (ENPUM) join the protest with Ao Senden.
In compliance with the directive of Nagaland Tribes Action Committee and Joint Co-ordination Committee, the Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) today imposed total bandh in the Chakhesang region of Phek district.
CYF president Welete Kapfo said the bandh was observed peacefully at Phek, Pfutsero, Chozuba, Chetheba, Chizami and Sekruzu town. No untoward incident was reported. Kapfo said the bandh will continue on February 14 from 6 am to 3 pm.
The Pochury Hoho with Pochury Youth Association and Muluo Shefuri Kugharu called a total bandh on Monday in Pochury jurisdiction. A total shut down was successfully observed from 6 am to 6 pm without any untoward incidents, according to a press release from Pochury Youth Association.
The Pochury Youth Association has convened an emergency presidential meeting on February 14 at 10 am at Pochury Hoho building, Meluri.
The governing body of the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has informed that the HSLC/Class XI/HSSLC Examinations 2017 shall be conducted as per the time scheduled. In an earlier notification, the Board had announced that the exams would start from February 14.
In an order issued on Monday, the NBSE governing body appealed “all authorities concerned to give a conducive atmosphere for the peaceful conduct of the said examinations by way of free movement of students, centre superintendents, school staff, invigilators and Board officials and ensuring safe delivery/deposit of question papers and answer scripts from the banks/post offices/centre of examination and to the NBSE office.” It has wished candidates appearing said examinations the very best.
