Asks govt to fulfil ‘NPSC charter of demands’
Alleging non-implementation of the ‘NPSC charter of demands’ and for systematically manipulating the 25% job reservation for six backward tribes of Eastern Nagaland, Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) served a 13-day ultimatum to the State government seeking implementation of the same.
Addressing a press meet at DUDA guest house here on Monday, ENSF president Sepili Sangtam expressed regret that even five months and 18 days since submission of a representation by the federation, the government had not taken any positive step. Hence, he said the federation has served its 13-day ultimatum on the state government.
He warned that failure to address the “genuine demand” would compel ENSF to demand prosecution of the officials/Commission responsible for systematically manipulating the 25% job reservation that was clearly notified by the State government.
Highlighting the issue in sequence, Sangtam said ENSF had time and again considered the appeals made by the government after any ultimatum was served. Pointedly he said after following the “appealed notification” of December 7, ENSF had after understanding the position of the government, temporarily suspended its democratic indefinite agitation and set January 10, 2021 as the deadline for the government to fulfil ENSF charter of demands. However, after setting the deadline, he said the government had again assured ENSF that a meeting with the cabinet sub-committee would be held soon. Based on this, he said ENSF again decided to keep the proposed indefinite stir in abeyance and also extended it by another month.
Sangtam said at the invitation of the government, ENSF attended a meeting with the cabinet sub-committee on April 9 wherein the issue was discussed at length. He said the government at a cabinet meeting on January 14 directed the cabinet sub-committee to submit its report within three months to enable it to take a decision. Sangtam lamented that no official intimation was received by ENSF from the government even after expiry of the three-month time period on April 14. He said there was no positive response from the government despite the ENSF showing leniency by giving it ample time of more than five months.
In the light of these and consequent upon the failure of the government to address its “genuine and legitimate” demand, ENSF served the ultimatum, he said.
He also warned that if there was no positive response from the government, it would compel ENSF to take any form of democratic steps till its “genuine and legitimate” demands were fulfilled and for which the government would be held solely responsible for any untoward incident.
Sangtam also said a team of ENSF had met chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday and apprised him of their stand. He said Rio, after giving a patient hearing, assured to look into the matter.