Angami Students’ Union (ASU) on Monday reminded the state government to uphold and strictly implement the office memorandum dated October 26, 2017, which notified that appointment of grade-iv posts in the district offices would be filled by the respective indigenous inhabitants of the districts only.
Reiterating its demand, ASU said appointment of grade-iv posts in the district offices be done as per the office memorandum issued by the P&AR department.
Addressing a press conference at its office here, ASU president Khriesamhalie David Mere informed that the student body had received complaints from various departmental offices, including roads & bridges and PWD (mechanical) about the recruitment of non-indigenous inhabitants in the district offices depriving indigenous inhabitants of the district of their rights.
ASU vice president Thejalhoukho Thomas Khawakhrie, pointed out that government notification dated July 17, 2018 had reiterated the state government’s OM dated October 26, 2017.
He informed that a representation was also submitted to the chief secretary on July 7, 2023 urging the government to reinstate the indigenous rights and take befitting action as per the rules of the government.
However, he said, no response had been received from the state government despite the chief secretary’s assurance to look into the matter.
ASU general secretary Vimeyiekho Vitso informed that the concerned departments had been apprised of the matter. He said that ASU could go to any extent to demand for justice and fight for what was due to the indigenous inhabitants.
Vitso informed that a series of meetings and consultation within the student body would be held to discuss the further course of action. Asked whether considerations should be made since Kohima was the state capital, Vitso said while the cosmopolitan nature of the city should be maintained, the present issue should be strictly implemented since it pertained to the rights of the indigenous inhabitants which was also taken into consideration as per government order.