The All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) has on Saturday issued a counter-circular reaffirming the legitimacy of the upcoming pen-down strike scheduled from October 14 to 16, in response to a directive from the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) on Friday which sought to restrain teachers from taking part in the protest.
ANSTA stated that the ENSF, being a students’ body, has “no legal authority to veto or restrain” the collective action of teachers. It explained that the association’s actions are in accordance with the directive issued by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC).
ANSTA further stated that the rights and duties of teachers as government employees are governed by the Nagaland State Service, Education Department rules, and statutes and “not by directives from student bodies.”
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The association clarified that the pen-down strike is not a closure of schools but a peaceful form of collective action.
To guard against “misinterpretation or intimidation,” ANSTA advised its members to “act in a peaceful, disciplined, decorous manner during the strike period.”
It also advised that the members “avoid obstructing schools, damaging property, or engaging in any violent or unlawful actions (which the government might use as pretext for penal action).”
ANSTA further said that members “maintain attendance at the workplace (unless service rules require absence) in as far as possible, but refrain from “pen and paper work” (i.e. the pen-down method).” It was also advised that members “document any interference or threats by ENSF or other bodies (names, dates, witnesses).”
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ANSTA also clarified that its earlier circular, dated October 9, was issued in compliance with the JCC directive as an affiliated association of the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Associations (CANSSEA) and added that “this is not a close down of schools but a Pen-down strike, the difference of which must be clearly understood.”
Reiterating the purpose of the strike, the association stated that the pen-down is not merely an act of protest but a collective stand to defend the principle of meritocracy, where hard work, qualifications and fairness prevail over favouritism or influence.
Calling for maturity from the ENSF, ANSTA said, “As a matured organisation led by intellectuals, the ENSF must understand that the students, as the torchbearers of tomorrow, must be enlightened that their future depends on the fairness of the system they will inherit.”
Further, ANSTA stated that all District Units and Teachers’ Groups should “remain united, maintain morale, and ensure reporting of any obstruction to the ANSTA HQ.”
