ENSF serves ultimatum to Nagaland government over NSSB, threatens to launch indefinite agitation

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 18 (EMN): The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) on Wednesday served a seven-day ultimatum to the state government, starting from November 18, to fulfil its demand in connection with the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB), failing which it warned to take up any form of democratic indefinite agitation.

In a press conference called on Wednesday, ENSF president Sepili L Sangtam stated that the eastern Nagas have been suppressed and deprived in all aspects since statehood despite equal sacrifice and contributions.

The federation reiterated its representation addressed to the chief minister of Nagaland on September 11, rejecting the present form of NSSB Regulation, 2020, and another one on October 26 in regard to non-implementation of Personnel and Administrative Reforms by the Nagaland Public Service Commission.

Sangtam maintained that the ENSF had submitted a six-charter demand on NSSB regulation 2020, which it had rejected ‘in toto’, and added that “due to the lukewarm attitude of the state government, the Federation is compelled to serve this seven-day ultimatum in the interest of Employment Justice and Equality”.

He claimed that the federation had detected through an RTI about many irregularities in implementation of government notifications of 2008, 2011 and 2015 by the NPSC, stating that eastern Nagas were denied 78.25 posts in the Combined Technical Services, 36.50 posts in Combined Education Services and 25 posts in NCS, NPS, NSS, and allied services.

He went on to warn that the ENSF, along with its federating units, will be take up any form of democratic indefinite agitation till its demands are fulfilled and ‘the state government will be solely held responsible for any untoward incident’ in the event of its failure to address their ‘genuine and legitimate demand’.

Charter of demands over NSSB

• In the composition of the Board, the post of chairman and two members should be rotated amongst the recognised Naga tribes of Nagaland on roster basis to maintain fair, justice and equality to all tribes.
• 45% posts should be exclusively earmarked for the six tribes of eastern Nagas (viz. Sangtam, Konyak, Yimchunger, Khiamniungam, Phom and Chang) for 20 years till they are at par with the rest of the other Nagas after which it shall be subject to review.
• Group C posts, which are exempted from the preview of NSSB mentioned under schedule-A, should be brought under NSSB preview for preliminary and written exam and other practical, skill and physical proficiency and interview should be conducted by the respective departments.
• Recruitment to the post of constable, fireman constable, warder and female warder in the Police, Prisons, Nagaland Lokayukta, NPTO, HG/CD and department of Fire and Emergency Services (sister department), Excise and Forest Guards in the EF&CC should be brought under NSSB preview for preliminary and written examination and other practical, skill and physical proficiency and interview should be conducted by the respective departments.
•  Examination centres for preliminary and written exam should be held in all district headquarters.
• Penalty provision to defaulter department and concerned officer who fails to recommend the Group C (Level 3-7) vacancy post to NSSB.

Charter of demands over non implementation of P& AR

• For implementation of a series of notification with regard to P& AR office memorandum in letter and in spirit, with demand for compensation of those denied posts;
• The resigned post from Backward Tribe (BT) quota of six backward tribes of eastern Nagaland should be permanently reserved for the particular tribe;
• The declaration of final result along with written and viva voce marks obtained and;
• The qualification criteria of the Board members and chairman of NPSC (demand for reconsideration of the post graduate degree holder to graduate degree holder particularly for the six backward tribes of eastern Nagaland)