Exclusion of Kiphire Sumi candidates from primary teachers interview kicks up ruckus

Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 18

The interview for appointment of Primary Teachers for the eight districts of the state, excluding Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Longleng districts which started today in the Directorate of School Education was nearly stalled with angered Sumi candidates from Kiphire district protesting their non-inclusion.
Sources from Kiphire District Sumi Students’ Union (KDSSU) said that on January 23, 2015 notification inviting application for adhoc appointment of 689 Primary Teachers from the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Phek, Peren, Kohima, Dimapur and Wokha was issued by the Directorate.
Following the notification, which had clearly mentioned that under Kiphire district a total of 135 PT with Yimchuger – 74, Sangtam – 48 and Sumi 13 would be appointed, applications were submitted by Sumi candidates residing in Kiphire district.
Amongst the applicants 58 aspirants were selected and notified to appear interview today (May 18) in the DSE.
However, as the candidates came forward for the interview today, they were surprised to see the notification in the form of corrigendum issued by the DSE Director Zaveyi Nyekha issued on May 16.
The corrigendum stated, “It is regretted that the list of Sumi candidates was wrongly notified on the Notice Board on May 14, 2014. However, this interview is based on the agreement of the ENSF and the State Government of Nagaland dated 26th November 2013 where the posts are exclusively reserved for the six tribes of Eastern Nagaland”.
Nonetheless, the 58 Sumi aspirants from Kiphire with the support of the KDSSU staged lightning protest in front of the DSE disrupting the peaceful conduct of the interview for almost three hours demanding justice.
Sources also revealed that the interview for the 336 posts of PTs for the six tribes from Eastern Nagaland was allowed to be conducted following the assurance from the higher authorities that interview for Sumi candidates from Kiphire district would be held on Wednesday following which the KDSSU has cautioned that failing to do so they would be compelled to take own course of action.
Meanwhile, talking to this correspondent, Minister for School Education, Yitachu accepted that the January 23 notification had invited applications from all the districts to meet the requirement of teachers throughout the State.
Expressing that the present interview is only to fill up the posts under Eastern Nagaland falling under the six tribes fulfilling the demand of the ENSF while interview for the remaining posts as advertised would be held in the next phase after final approval by the State Cabinet.
The Minister also regretted the inadvertent inconvenience caused to the rest of the tribes through the notification.