Staff reporter
Guwahati: The ongoing indefinite hunger strike by members of the All Assam Non-Provincialized Teachers–Employees Association has entered its second day at Chachal, throwing a harsh spotlight on the state government’s alleged apathy and unfulfilled promises. The protest, which began on Monday, reflects the culmination of years of frustration, broken promises, and deteriorating conditions for teachers and employees of venture schools across Assam.
The hunger strike took a grave turn on Tuesday, when one of the protesting teachers collapsed from exhaustion and severe fatigue after prolonged hunger. The individual had to be immediately rushed to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in an ambulance, raising concerns over the health and well-being of the other demonstrators, who continued their fast without any medical intervention. Disturbingly, neither a government official nor a medical team has yet visited the protest site to assess or address the worsening situation.
The association has accused the government of reneging on its commitments. Teachers at the strike site recalled Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s assurance on October 20, 2022, that their longstanding demands for the provincialization of services would be met. However, more than a year later, these assurances remain unfulfilled, with teachers claiming that the government has reduced their plight to hollow promises.
Adding to their grievances is the government’s decision on April 1, 2023, to withdraw essential resources from venture schools, including midday meals and free textbooks. This withdrawal led to a decline in student enrolment rates, which the government reportedly used as justification to revoke DICE codes for over 1,800 venture schools—effectively rendering them defunct.
The association stated, “First, they strip us of resources, and then blame us for failing. This is not mismanagement; this is a calculated move to destroy us.”
The teachers further expressed anger at Education Minister Ranoj Pegu’s shifting stance. While he had previously assured them during meetings on August 3, 2024, that their demands would be prioritized, he later dismissed the matter entirely, claiming that provincialization is no longer a priority for the state government. This U-turn has not only deepened the teachers’ disillusionment but also intensified their resolve to fight for their rights.
The protesting teachers remain steadfast in their demands, despite growing health concerns. Their fight, they say, is not just for survival but for dignity and justice. Whether the authorities will respond remains to be seen, but the teachers at Chachal continue their protest—hungry, unheard, but unrelenting.
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