NSF clears doubts on its ultimatum over Nagaland Staff Selection Board

Says the sole purpose of its demand is to curb rampant backdoor appointments

Dimapur, March 4 (EMN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has broken its silence on the objection raised by some organisations over serving an ultimatum to the state government to set up Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB), stating that it was done to “curb rampant backdoor appointments” and that its federating units from outside the state will not benefit from it in any way.

The student body had served a 15-day ultimatum to the government of Nagaland on February 22 to address at least four of its demands, including implementation of NSSB policy. Some organisations had questioned the move, saying that the federation was “using other people and organisations” who have no connection with the state.

Following the furore, which it said had diverted the main issue of concern, the NSF issued a clarification on Wednesday. The statement said that ‘the federation with its federating units and subordinate bodies have taken note of the resentment raised by some organisations’.

“However, it is also clarified once and for all that the signature appended by the federating units outside the present state of Nagaland does not mean that by appending signature they will benefit anything or get job opportunity under the exams conducted by the Staff Selection Board (SSB) of Nagaland. The federation is clear on this. It only shows that, the federation as a collective whole stands united and for which the decision of the ultimatum was endorsed unanimously by all the members present during the Presidential Council Meeting of NSF held on 22nd February 2020 besides, the other issues which were discussed,” the statement read.

It stated that the ultimate purpose of the federation is to encourage and promote the competitive mindset of the youth at all levels. It added that setting up of SSB should not cast any apprehension as the motive is “to ensure that every educated youth of Nagaland gets equal job opportunity in matters of public employment as per law”.

“The sole purpose of the federation demanding the setting up of SSB is to curb rampant backdoor appointments which deprived the hardworking youth from facing proper selection process. It is a fact that, rampant backdoor appointment is sabotaging meritocracy in the state of Nagaland. Unless it is controlled, the corrupted system will only push our state backward,” it stated.

“Setting up of SSB will not affect the reservation for backwards quota including the reservation for persons with disabilities, etc. The federation has a clear vision with the sole target to protect equal rights of all the Naga youth of Nagaland in matters of public employment,” it added.

The federation has requested the Nagas not to succumb to confusion and also to be “aware of divisive forces that will break the federation apart”. “We appreciate the constructive criticisms; however, the target on focus at large should not be compromised in the confusion,” it stated.

The press release went on to state that the federation, in its consultative meeting with the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies on March 4, reiterated its ultimatum “with legitimate demands” and requested the government of Nagaland to consider at the earliest.

The federation also reminded that it was form in 1947 to defend the inalienable rights and aspiration of Nagas against inimical forces, irrespective of the artificial boundaries. ‘NSF as one among the oldest Naga organisations, regardless of whether the issue taken up by the federation is within the territory of one state or the other or even internationally- wherever Nagas are, the federation stands united at all times,’ it stated.

“Since its inception, the federation has stood firm in unison without compromise. Whether the sacrifices made and the issues taken up by the federation manned by many prominent selfless leaders of the Naga society till date are right or wrong, it is for the right thinking people to judge,” the statement added.