Set up inquiry or seek Lokayukta: Nagaland Oppn on Dy CM’s remark

Kohima: Opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) has sought the intervention of the government to set up an “independent inquiry” to look into the malpractices prevalent in the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC), as highlighted through the recent remarks made by the deputy chief minister Y Patton while addressing a local convention in Wokha.

In the ongoing session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu, in his participation on the motion of thanks to the governor’s address, highlighted how the reputed institution of the NPSC was recently challenged by Patton. Interpretations of the deputy CM’s remarks alleged that Patton had appealed the meritorious students who clear the written exams to come to him for assistance.

Questioning the neutral and impartial role of the NPSC, Nienu said that this issue which was highlighted by a student leader, who had also written to the governor in this regard, must be taken into consideration. He said that the governor must look into the matter and not keep the letter “in cold storage”.

Nienu further suggested that an independent inquiry must be set up, or that the matter must be handed to the Lokayukta. Nienu also thanked Patton for highlighting the malicious practice of NPSC in “a diplomatic manner”, noting that Patton might have either “exposed NPSC” or have “exposed himself”.

Nienu also read a section of a press statement issued by a Lotha student body where it said that Patton had asked the merit people to come to him. He then questioned if Patton had meant that he will use his power to push the candidate, or settle exchanges between the departments, or use incentives to aid such candidates.

Nienu said that as elected members, one should rise above one’s tribe or one’s constituency and become a leader for the Nagas as a whole, as such thoughts only promote a sense of “tribalism”, “nepotism” and that such acts is against the oath taken on the Constitution.

Saying that the main aim of concern is the practice of “corruption” in one of the most respected institutions, he suggested that an inquiry board must seriously take note of such malpractices.

Meanwhile, countering his statement, state BJP President Temjen Imna Along Longkumer said that Patton’s speech at a local event, which was spoken in a local dialect, was “interpreted and misinterpreted”.

Refering to Patton’s clarification issued through a thread of tweets, Longkumer said that Patton had himself clarified and has brushed off any allegations of manipulating the NPSC. Longkumer pointed out how people have arrived at their own conclusions about the existence of corruption and challenging the sanctity of the best institution of the state — NPSC. He also questioned who is to be trusted — whether the NPSC or social media.

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Reiterating the students’ body’ s clarification that Patton had asked the merit students “to come to him” and that “proper justice” will be done to the merit, he said: “It is an assurance that justice will be done to you” and further asked if there was anything wrong about doing justice. “How can justice be interpreted,” he questioned. He then highlighted how Patton had announced money incentives to the meritorious students, adding that most politicians give such “assurances”.

In regard to the letter written by a student leader to the governor, he appealed the governor to reject such kind of communication. Citing that such letters may be written by various people in the future, he said that all letters may not be factual.

He further cautioned about the content received from social media and said that as politicians one must not “divert focus” of serving the people, and that one must not promote such “social media heroes”.