Warns of legal action against all acts of vilification
Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers’ Association (ENGOA) on Wednesday strongly condemned what it called “unwarranted and defamatory vilification” made against its bona fide member and ENGOA president, Dr. Anungla Imdong Phom, in connection with the recent induction of non-SCS officers into the IAS.
In a press release, ENGOA described such personal attacks as “baseless, unjustified, and contrary to the principles of fairness, administrative propriety, and the rule of law.” The association maintained that IAS being an All India Service, any selection undertaken in conformity with prescribed DoPT framework and UPSC procedure was lawful, valid, and binding.
ENGOA also expressed displeasure over “efforts” by certain individuals and entities to “maliciously” misinterpret the statutory provisions and engage in public vilification and character assassination of an officer, who it said was lawfully shortlisted as one of the eligible candidates through due process, and “bears no fault in the matter.”
The association stated that such “public vilification” on social and print media platforms, without a logical or factual analysis of the procedural framework, was both “unethical and legally untenable.”
Taking strong exception to the incident, ENGOA announced its resolve to initiate appropriate legal recourse under the relevant laws of the land against any individual, association, or croup that continued to vilify, malign, or defame the reputation of any of its member without valid cause or fault, through any medium including print, electronic, or social platforms.
ENGOA affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the professional dignity, integrity, and lawful rights of officers from Eastern Nagaland. At the same time, the association also conveyed to all sections to exercise restraint and responsibility, and to refrain from any form of unverified, personal, or divisive commentary.
The association expressed faith in the competent authority to address the matter in accordance with the established law, fairness, justice, and equity among all Nagas.