Terming as “unfortunate” the NSF ultimatum served on the state government to approve and implement the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) policy, the Konyak Union (KU) Mon has asserted that “such domestic and reformative thoughts should have been rooted” after thorough debate and consultation within the state.
In a press release, KU general secretary Wango Konyak and press secretary Pangmei Konyak asserted that since Nagaland was a tribal state implementing such policy required “tribal endorsement.”
It also stated signatories of the ultimatum involving “our Naga brethren from Manipur seem lost and confused on this very practical issue.” KU added that it should be left to Nagaland government and its citizens to determine on the system of governance and execution.
Along with Konyak Students’ Union (KSU) and Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK), the KU also affirmed that Nagaland was not yet ready for NSSB, adding that “Our Naga brethren from Manipur should understand it in good faith.” Further, KU has appealed to every Naga civil society group to understand the pleas of those deprived section or tribe in the state.
It stated that Konyak Naga tribe of Nagaland was one of the most populace tribes in the state. However, KU said that its tribal representation in the state employment sector was very marginal or negligible. “The unemployment rate if not attended shall rather push its force towards insurgencies problem in the state,” KU said and maintained that any reformative concept, hence, should have people’s endorsement and mandate.
Since the inception of the State, the KU said Konyak Naga tribe of Nagaland had faced “untold deprivation” be it in the general employment system or under the so called reservation system.
As regards, the KU said it had submitted a memorandum to chief minister demanding social and economic equality through employment, saying that every state share and allocation system should be based on territorial and population ratio. KU said the state government was yet to act upon.
Stating that any rectification moves within the state cannot be determined by some section/group alone as Nagaland being a tribal state, the KU affirmed that it cannot endorse the concept of NSSB at this stage without thorough consultation.
The union, therefore, suggested such reformative moves, if any, should be laid for open public consultation and endorsement.
Besides, KU said that the state government should foster in solving local issues in hand “which might turn parasite if left unattended.”
Therefore, in its quest for “social & economic equality through employment”, the KU has appealed to the state Government for “immediate compliance.”