Kohima: The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) on Monday submitted a 13-day ultimatum to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio over the implementation of a 25 per cent job reservation under the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) alleging “major anomalies”.
Failing to fulfil its demands by May 15, it warned of taking the ‘extreme step’ of demanding the prosecution of the concerned officers /commission who have systematically manipulated the 25% job reservation.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, ENSF President Sepili L Sangtam said the ultimatum emerged from an emergency meeting with its six federating units. It has been five months and 18 days since the state government failed to fulfil its “genuine” demands over the issue, he added.
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He said that the agitations had been suspended since the state government had said a Cabinet Sub-Committee would look into the matter soon.
On January 14, the cabinet sub-committee was directed to submit its report in three months. Despite the deadline ending on April 14, the state government had not informed them, said Sangtam.
He informed that the 25% job reservation for the six backward tribes—Sangtam, Konyak, Yimchunger, Khiamniungam, Phom and Chang—were notified in 2008, and the implementation began in 2009.
Sangtam said after examining all records of the P&AR department, relevant notifications by the NSPC, and an RTI reply, it found “major anomalies” in the implementation of the 25% quota from 2009 till date.
He said that the student body never expected the Commission to “manipulate” the earmarked quota meant for the six backward tribes, saying that the commission must clarify why the Eastern Naga backward tribes were deprived of the earmarked policy.
Saying that the government must compensate, he added that the ENSF is not asking for something beyond the 25% reservation meant for the six tribes. General Secretary Imtichoba Chang informed that on April 9, a meeting was also held with the cabinet sub-committee where the NPSC “clearly accepted” that the reservations that are meant for the six tribes “needs to be compensated”.
Regarding the backlog on the reservation, the student body said that there are no issues.
While the student body denied sharing its “rough findings” in the public domain, citing that it is subject to change and addition, it assured to put on record the findings after 13 days, if the government fails to respond positively.
The student leaders informed that they held a ‘healthy discussion’ with the CM while submitting the memorandum on Monday. According to them, the CM has assured to look into the matter and suggested that if anomalies are to be found in the implementation of the reservations, the NPSC should correct it.
