Imphal, Jul 10: Giving a renewed thrust to the demand raised to adopt the text books prescribed by the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE) in some hill districts of Manipur in lieu of the text books prescribed by the BSEM, thousands of BSEM text books were today consigned to flames at the four hill districts of Chandel, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati.

CHANDEL : Even as the State Government claimed that it has initiated several steps to contain such extreme moves by some Naga students, Deputy Commissioner in-charge of Chandel district Hopson Chothe said that he was not informed of any such preventive measures.

Thousands of text books confiscated by the Naga Students' Union, Chandel from different schools were piled up at around 11.30 am today at Panchai and set on fire with some of them shouting slogans like, "Bye Bye BSEM", "Welcome NBSE", "We want common educational administration" etc.

All the while no pre-emptive or security measures were taken up either by the District administration or the police.

Speaking to reporters at his office, Hopson Chothe said that as per the instruction of the Government, he had conducted a meeting of private school Principals and had duly submitted the necessary report.

There has been no prior intimation of the possibility of students burning text books and no instruction was received to take up security measures for such an incident, asserted Hopson.

Even then, he would now look into all possible pre-emptive measures to ward off any anti-State activity, he said.

To a question, the DC in-charge conveyed that students have provided NBSE text books to private schools but these books are not yet adopted by the schools.

General secretary of NSUC TS Molar alleged that the text books prescribed by BSEM are instrumental in subjugating the culture and tradition of Nagas and other ethnic groups of hill districts adding that it helps in imposition of Meitei culture over other ethnic groups.

He said that many historical facts of Nagas are deliberately sidelined in BSEM text books.

He also mentioned of the imposition of Meitei Mayek on the minorities through an ordnance passed by the State last year.

He further alleged that the syllabi of BSEM underrates the cultural, social and traditional values of the Nagas.

Recalling the notification issued by the Governor on January 7, 2004 which prohibited any school in the State from seeking affiliation to CBSE or ICSE, TS Mollar construed that it was aimed at Naga students and students of hill districts.

He also observed that the Manipur Secondary Education Act 1972, by which any school under BSEM is not allowed to affiliate to any other Board or Council of neighbouring States, is in violation of Article 30 of the Indian Constitution.

Talking to reporters, principal of Analol Christian Institute, L Wolring conveyed their helplessness as the School is located at a Naga dominated area.

To a question regarding the threat of the State Government to de-recognise any school which adopts NBSE text books, the Principal said that they are really caught between the deep sea and the devil adding that it is up to the Government.

UKHRUL : At Tangkhul Long ground in Ukhrul, about 3000 students parted with their BSEM text books and put them on fire.

Vice-president of TKS Tennyson Kashung clarified that ANSAM or any other Naga students' body never intimidated private school authorities to adopt NBSE text books.

The change over is being pursued only after the consent of the school authorities with the objective to strengthen the movement for Naga self-determination.

The text book burning program was attended by Eno Worthing Horam, social and cultural secretary NSF, Eno Khrielievi Chusu, Secretary General, Angami Students Union, Eno Krope, General Secretary Chakeshang Students Union and Eno Jordan Pheiray, Education Secy, ANSAM.

Reacting to the State Government's instruction to private schools, general secretary of Naga Hoho N Krome said, " They must understand the common aspiration of the Naga people.

This is a part of the Naga movement to resolve the common issue.

Manipur Govt should, instead appreciate this move".

TAMENGLONG : Contrary to earlier reports, the Zeliangrong Students' Union Manipur claimed that (ZSUM) this evening claimed that it had burnt the Manipur Board text books in Tamenglong Bazar this afternoon, reports Newmai News Network.

Talking over the phone to Newmai News Network, ZSUM education secretary, G.H Newme said that text books prescribed by Board of School Education, Manipur (BSEM) were burnt right after Chief Minister O.Ibobi left Tamenglong Headquarter.

Manipur CM came by chopper for the inaugration of Tamenglong higher secondary school new building today.

He was accompannied by Power Minister Francis Ngajokpa, State unit Congress president Gaikhangam and MLA Mangaibou.

"In support of All Naga Students'Association Manipur (ANSAM) directive of teaching Nagaland board text books in all the private schools in the four hill districts of Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Chandel and Senapati, we are endorsing and implementing with action", said GH Newme while adding that several text books of BSEM were burnt to ashes this afternoon.

Further, he disclosed that one of ZSUM co-ordinator volunteer was interrogated by Assam Rifles but released at 4 pm unharm.

President of Naga Students' Federation (NSF) Phushika Aomi remarked that there was nothing wrong for the Nagas to burn such text books in pursuit of their demands.

He asserted that such a move is very much related with the common Naga aspiration to live together as one under a single geographical entity.

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