Dimapur, Jul 21: A team of the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) today called on the Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh at his office in New Delhi and apprised him of the affiliation issue of private schools of Manipur's four hill districts Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul to Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).

A statement handed to Newmai News Network by NSF gen secy K Elu Ndang disclosed that the Union Minister assured the Naga students' delegation that he would immediately look into the matter, as the educational career of many children are at stake.

The delegation also apprised Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on gravity of the problem that can get out of control if the matter is not addressed exigently, conveyed the NSF communique.

The Home Minister is informed to have assured all possible means to settle the matter at the earliest.

It further stated that the student delegation also met Minister of State, PMO Prithiviraj Chavan at his official residence on July 20."The Minister expressed his serious concern and that he will personally discuss the matter with the Prime Minister.

He further stated that this matter requires 'an immediate amicable solution and the academic career students should not be affected at any cost'.

The delegation also called on George Fernandes, Convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) who assured to raise the matter with the Minister of HRD," stated the NSF statement.

The delegation then met Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities and Joint Secretaries of University & Higher Education, Department of Secondary and Higher Education.

Earlier, the NSF submitted a memorandum to Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh.

The memorandum stated that "the four Naga Hill districts"Tahamzam (Senapati), Chamdil (chandel), Hunphun (Ukhrul) and Inriangluang (Tamenglong) of the present state of Manipur are part of the contiguous Naga ancestral homeland.

The Nagas occupy about 70 percent of the geographical area of Manipur but they are a minority community.

In complete disregard to the sentiments and rights of the minorities, the Govt.of Manipur has been propagating discriminatory policies against the minorities, especially the Nagas.

Interalia, one of such cases is the imposition of Meitei Mayek (Meitei script) through the Ordinance of State Legislation in 2005 by the Govt of Manipur upon the minorities of the state.

In the light of such discrimination and discontentment, the Naga people resolved on August 9, 2001 and November 4, 2005 to launch a non-cooperation movement and dissociate from the state of Manipur, said the memorandum.

It mentioned that the student community too resolved to severe affiliations with the State's educational system and has denounced the imposed syllabus prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur.

Subsequently, 163 private schools of the "four Naga hill districts on the March 25, 2006" have introduced the syllabus prescribed by NBSE and the process of affiliation has been initiated as well, claimed the NSF memorandum.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the State Cabinet of Nagaland on June 12, 2006 has seriously deliberated on this matter and has referred the matter to the Ministry HRD for urgent intervention.