Eastern Naga Students’ Federation asserts sole authority over education matters in its jurisdiction

DIMAPUR — The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), the apex students’ organisation representing the eight tribes—Chang, Konyak, Eastern Sumi, Phom, Khiamniungan, Tikhir, Yimkhiung and Sangtam—has expressed strong indignation and outrage at what it termed an “audacious and unwarranted attempt” by the All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA).

The federation described ANSTA as “a mere welfare grouping of government employees belonging to a single department” that sought to “question, challenge, or even comment upon” the directives, authority, and mandate of the tribally constituted apex organisation.

In a press statement, the federation stated that it found it “highly contemptible and absurd” that an association “lacking any recognition, legitimacy, or jurisdiction within the Eastern Region” should “intrude into matters exclusively concerning the tribal populace and its collective rights.” ENSF asserted that ANSTA holds “no operational standing, moral validity, or functional authority within the Eastern jurisdiction”, and therefore, its statements are “null, void, and inconsequential”.

The statement further declared that “the ENSF stands far above and beyond the so-called ANSTA or any other welfare association in the State”. It added that the federation’s “legacy, achievements, and continued authority” were testament to its “unquestionable position and legitimacy as the voice and guardian of the Eastern people”.

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Questioning ANSTA that by what authority, on whose mandate, and with what legitimacy does it presume to challenge or question the directive of the ENSF in a region where it holds no acceptance and no respect, it described the association’s “reckless insolence and presumptuous intrusion” as a “direct affront to the sovereignty, dignity, and tribal authority of the ENSF”, terming it “a calculated attempt to provoke, discredit, and destabilise the tribal educational structure that ENSF has safeguarded for decades”.

ENSF stated that it “shall not remain silent nor lenient” and would take “stringent and uncompromising actions” to protect its members, institutions, and student community from “external interference or manipulative designs of any organisations”.

Reiterating its mission, the federation said it “remains unflinching, unbending, and unwavering” in its commitment to reform and uplift the education system that has “for decades suffered under neglect, disparity, and discrimination”. It affirmed its role as a “legitimately constituted organisation” acting as a “mediator, protector, and reformer”, ensuring “fairness, accountability, and discipline in the system”.

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ENSF declared that it would “not entertain, respond to, or recognise any directive, appeal, or communication from ANSTA or any of its functionaries within the Eastern jurisdiction”. It emphasised that it “does not and shall not lend an ear to any self-proclaimed welfare body of government employees whose authority is confined to their administrative quarters”.

The federation reminded the teaching community that “it was the ENSF that defended and shielded the teachers during times when illegal forces exploited them through illegitimate and coercive practices that is still in place”. ENSF said it had “consistently protected the sanctity of education and the dignity of teachers, even when others chose silence and complacency”.

Declaring ANSTA’s “arrogant, provocative, and intimidatory posturing” as “unacceptable, intolerable, and condemnable in the strongest terms”, the federation warned that any further attempt by ANSTA to “undermine, challenge, or interfere with the directive of the ENSF” would “invite decisive and immediate retaliation.” It added that ENSF “shall not hesitate to issue withdrawal orders against any citizen under its jurisdiction who associates with or endorses ANSTA or any organisation acting in defiance of the federation”.

Furthermore, the federation cautioned and alerted every “Eastern citizen” to remain vigilant and resistant against the influence of any vested individuals or external forces attempting to manipulate the community under the guise of welfare activism.

Reaffirming its stand, ENSF directed all its federating units to ensure that no school or teacher under their jurisdiction takes part in ANSTA’s order for a pen-down strike. It stated that any instance of disobedience should be documented and submitted immediately to the federation for disciplinary measures, including permanent disassociation from the jurisdictional privileges extended by ENSF.

The federation concluded that it “stands resolute, fearless, and uncompromising as the legitimate and sovereign voice of the eight tribes of Eastern Nagaland”. It vowed to continue to defend the sanctity of education, protect the rights of students, and uphold justice and dignity with unyielding resolve, formidable authority, and absolute command.