Kohima, February 18 (MExN): The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) Nagaland Unit has found the ‘public apology’ issued recently by the Principal of Kohima College “highly questionable” and “not tenable.”
Clarifying on the Statement of Apology released by Principal of Kohima College, Dr. Watijungshi, the HRLN Nagaland Unity noted that as per RTI documents available, the Kohima College Authority had issued the BA Honours Pol. Science Certificate to Neiphiu Rio in 2012, “without any application from the student concerned on record in violation of educational practices and rules.”
This “Fake Certificate,” stated the HRLN Nagaland Unit Co-ordinator in a press release today, was “used by the said student, two years later, to file the affidavit for the Lok Sabha Election in 2014.” Further, the Network informed, as per RTI replies, a verbal request was made in October 2015 for a Corrigendum Certificate.
“The Kohima College Principal Dr. Watijungshi issued the Corrigendum Certificate dated 9.10.15. However, this Corrigendum certificate was not accepted by the Returning Officer, as all official documents filed in the earlier affidavit had been sent to the Chief Election Commission, Delhi as the Lok Sabha elections were over,” stated the HRLN.
Moreover, the public apology from the renowned institution and administrative Head of Kohima College, “who is well aware of the rules that govern the principles of the institution is shocking and questionable, because the apology makes no sense as ignorance of law is no excuse.”
The Network’s Nagaland Unit informed that the matter is now under investigation with the police and will come up before the court, hence, the public apology from the Principal, Kohima College is “highly questionable at this point in time, and not tenable.”
