The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Thursday clarified that its federating units from outside Nagaland will not benefit anything or get job opportunity under the exams conducted by the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB).
On February 22, the federation issued an ultimatum to the government demanding approval and implementation of the NSSB policy forwarded to it by the board committee.
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It was signed by NSF president and general secretary besides leaders of its 15 federating units, including those from Manipur.
The ultimatum on the proposed NSSB came under severe flak from various civil society groups and some student bodies of the state.
The federation, in a release issued by its president Ninoto Awomi and general secretary Liremo R. Kikon, said it, along with its federating units and subordinate bodies, has taken note of the resentment raised by some organisations.
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It said there were mixed opinions on the memorandum in some public forums for inclusion of the signatures of federating units from outside Nagaland, thereby diverting the main issue of concern.
It said the decision on the ultimatum was endorsed unanimously by all the members present during its presidential council meeting held in Kohima on February 22.
The federation explained that the ultimatum was submitted as the government did not meet its legitimate demands on time.
The release said the sole purpose of the federation to demand setting up of the NSSB 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 Nagaland. Unless it is controlled, the corrupted system will only push our state backward,” the federation said.
It said its ultimate purpose is to encourage and promote the competitive mindset of “our youths” at all levels.
Therefore, it said, the setting up of the NSSB should not cast any apprehension.
The motive is only to ensure that every educated youth of Nagaland gets equal job opportunity in matters of public employment as per law.
The federation added that setting up of NSSB will not affect the reservation for backward quotas and the reservation for persons with disabilities, etc.
It asserted that it has a clear vision with the sole target to protect equal rights of all the Naga youth of Nagaland in matters of public employment.
The federation requested the Nagas not to succumb to confusion and also to be aware of divisive forces that will break it apart.
“We appreciate the constructive criticisms. However, the target on focus at large should not be compromised in the confusion,” it said.
The federation, along with its federating units and subordinate bodies, at a consultative meeting in Kohima on Wednesday reiterated its demands and urged the government to consider them at the earliest.