Protesting teachers reject Nagaland government’s committee proposal, agitation to continue

KOHIMA — The Nagaland RMSA Teachers’ Association has reportedly rejected the state government’s proposal to constitute a committee to address their demands.

On Thursday, the ninth day of the protest, representatives of the association met with state officials at the Secretariat following an invitation from the state home commissioner.

During the meeting, the government suggested forming a committee comprising RMSA teachers’ executives along with officials from the Finance, Law and Justice, and School Education departments.

Also read: RMSA 2016 teachers’ protest enters eighth day; meet with NSF inconclusive

However, the proposal was “flatly refused” by the teachers, it was informed.

“Until and unless they come up with a solution or a kind of an offer, we will not respond to the request,” Association spokesperson Renbemo L Patton told Eastern Mirror.

He termed the proposal “another clear delaying tactic,” adding that the government must present an offer in line with the teachers’ charter of demands before negotiations could take place.

He asserted that after nearly two weeks of continuous protest, the teachers could not call off their agitation for what he described as “this mere committee that is too little.”

“Until and unless a solution is brought forth and the members accept it, the agitation will be in full swing and much louder,” Patton warned, while maintaining that the protest has so far remained peaceful.