Imphal, November 04: A staggering 3665 Naga students from Manipur would appear matriculation examinations in Nagaland for which the process of enrolment and filling up of examination forms are on in full swing, claimed general secretary of Naga Students' Federation (BSF) Elu Ndang.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Elu Ndang declared that all Naga student bodies have made necessary preparations to exert strong pressure on the Union Government to realise their mission to affiliate all schools in Naga areas of Manipur under the Nagaland Board of Secondary Education (NBSE).

He further cautioned of massive stir at unprecedented level if the Union Government fail to honour the aspirations of Naga students.

NSF, ANSAM and other Naga student bodies would press their points and urge the Union Government particularly Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh to resolve the issue of school affiliation according to the aspiration of Naga students.

Elu conveyed that the HRD Minister had already forwarded the matter to the Prime Minister for his justified opinion.

To press home the validity and urgency of their points and arguments upon central leaders, the Naga student leaders would most probably lobby at the national capital in the last week of November.

However, no definite date has been set as yet, disclosed Elu.

The NSF general secretary observed, "If the Union Government fails to concede to our legitimate demands then we have no other alternative other than launch different forms of intense stir". Stating that Nagaland Government is quite supportive towards the move to affiliate all schools in Naga areas of Manipur under the NBSE and has been extending unstinted cooperation in the campaign, the NSF leader noted that the only impediment delaying resolution of the issue is the official approval from the Centre.

Responding to a question, Elu Ndang said NSF would extend all possible cooperation to all Naga students of Manipur who wish to give their matriculation examinations in Nagaland under the NBSE in terms of their accommodation and transportation.

It is pertinent to mention here that a large number of school text books prescribed by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur were consigned to flames in the district headquarters of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel some time back as part of the campaign to affiliate school in these districts under the NBSE.

The next step in the campaign covered ban on sale of Manipuri films and music cassettes in these districts.

Moreover, some Govt schools buildings were vandalised in these districts after the decision of the State Government to make educational certificates issued by schools affiliated to NBSE invalid in Manipur.

All the while, the State Government has been maintaining that the campaign to affiliate schools located in Manipur under NBSE as politically motivated and carried out at the behest of NSCN (IM) as a part of its long standing agenda for greater Nagaland.

On the other hand, the Central leaders have been refusing to intervene in the issue saying that education is a State subject.

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