Hundreds of students from eastern Nagaland under the aegis of Eastern Nagaland College Students’ Union (ENCSU) on Friday staged sit-in protest outside Civil Secretariat gate here demanding review of NSEE-II result declared on July 15, 2016 and reallocation of reserved seats meant for backward tribe (BT).
ENCSU has sought immediate intervention of the chief minister into the issue and address its demand on or before August 15, failing which it would take “extreme action” even to the extent of disturbing the celebration of Independence Day.
Addressing the student demonstrators at the protest site, ENCSU joint secretary, Nokchem Angth, said the protest was called to demand their rights. He affirmed that the union would not back off until their rightful share was granted.
ENCSU joint secretary also queried why did the government set up a common selection board (CSB) when the department/government said they were following the Medical Council India (MCI) rules.
He said unless assurance of full implementation was given, the union would intensify the agitation.
Also, addressing the students, ENSF president, Shasha L. Menhau, said “said the humiliation and deprivation from all sectors to the eastern Nagas for many decades has resulted in demand for separate statehood.”
He said in the name of backward tribe reservation, seats and more opportunities were allocated to others. ENSF president urged the government to treat equally and “stop playing with the eastern Nagas.” Menhau said the unfair conduct of NSEE was also another result that made the federation to send engineering students from their own arrangement. ENSF president also affirmed that till the demands were met, the union would not give up the agitation and extend full support to the ongoing ENCSU agitation.
ENPO finance secretary David and ENWO representative also spoke and extended support to ENCSU and its demands.
ENCSU later submitted the representation to the chief minister through principal secretary.
In a representation addressed to the chief minister, ENCSU chairman Longre Chang and joint secretary Nokchem Angth stated that the union was not in a position to accept the reply given by the department of higher and technical education on August 11, as it has failed to address the union’s genuine grievances.