Naga Students’ Federation temporarily suspends stir over SSB issue

Kohima: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Monday informed that the first phase of its agitation against the inaction of the state government in setting up of a Staff Selection Board (SSB) is kept on “abeyance”.

A press release, issued by the NSF media cell, informed that the agitation had been temporarily suspended following an official statement issued by the government of Nagaland (vide notification No. AR-5 / ASSO / 98 (pt) dated even no. 7th of November 2019) in which it said, “The government is actively pursuing the matter of setting up of the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) which will be tasked with the responsibility of recruitment of Grade-III staff under the government. The draft proposal was placed as agenda in the cabinet meeting held on October 18, 2019 wherein the matter was discussed and decided to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of Sentiyanger Imchen, additional chief secretary & development commissioner to further examine in detail the modalities”.

It acknowledged chief minister Nephiu Rio and the Cabinet for “responding to the aspirations of the Naga youths and students towards promoting meritocracy by setting up a committee on the same”.

It appealed the committee headed by Sentiyanger Imchen, additional chief secretary & development commissioner, government of Nagaland, to “examine the matter on its true merit and accordingly forward its recommendation to the state government within the stipulated time”.

It further expressed optimism that the state government will set up the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) at the earliest based on the examination of the committee recommendation.

Following the directives of the NSF, students of various schools, colleges and universities wore black band/badge along with the uniforms on October 30, as part of the first phase of its “democratic agitation”, showing their resentment against the state government.