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

KOHIMA — The indefinite protest launched by the Nagaland RMSA Teachers’ Association – 2016 entered its eighth day on Wednesday, with members reiterating their demand for scale pay and other due benefits.

Executives of the association met with the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) at the latter’s office in Kohima to discuss the matter. However, the meeting remained inconclusive, according to the association.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, association spokesperson Renbemo L Patton said that while the NSF requested the teachers to call off the agitation, they declined. “Though the meeting was not conclusive, we really appreciate the NSF for their seriousness in our case and that is why they are going to serve a 10-day ultimatum to the government,” he said.

Also read: Naga Council Dimapur, others rally behind RMSA 2016 teachers

Patton informed that the NSF has agreed to intervene and mediate between the government and the RMSA teachers, adding that the federation is directly or indirectly involved in the issue as student leaders.

“We understand their position but to call off the agitation at this point of time is not possible on our part. So our proposed agitation will continue,” he added, while stressing that the teachers have been fighting for justice for nearly a decade.

This was the third meeting between the association and NSF executives. According to Patton, the federation is working behind the scenes to find ways and means to bring an amicable solution between the government and the RMSA teachers. In an earlier meeting, the teachers had kept their proposed hunger strike in abeyance on the advice of the NSF.

Meanwhile, the All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) submitted a representation to the commissioner and secretary of school education on Wednesday concerning the demands of the RMSA 2016 batch.