The present hue and cry of the affiliation of the four Hill district pvt Schools of the Manipur state is the right step taken by the students and I hope and believe that every Naga will appreciate and be rationalized on this matter. Sir, I as a Naga would like to share the following points:
I for sure, NSF have clearly stated on affiliating the Pvt Schools of Naga inhabited areas in Manipur state to the NBSE. The common syllabus and vision will visualize our common goal cutting across the artificial geographical boundaries of the Nagas. Common syllabus and affiliating in one board i.e. NBSE, does not necessarily amount to depriving of job opportunity to the Nagas of Nagaland, since professional courses like MBBS, Engineering, BDS, BVS, and others have clear-cut criteria and norms for 100% reservation for the indigenous Nagas of Nagaland. In the case of job opportunity even through NPSC 80% is reserved and 20% open for general through cut-off percentage (mandated by Mandal commission throughout India). Even in the present Nagaland state arrangement, there are thousands of Nagas from outside Nagaland state and non-Nagas serving in Nagaland yet their children are not entitled to job opportunities and professional courses from the state quota.
For example in the professional course selection, it is categorized into four criteria:
(a) To be filled up by the Nagas of Nagaland.
(b) Incase of remaining seats not being filled up due to cut-off percentage then, non-Nagas but indigenous persons of Nagaland will fill up.
(c) If the seat still remains then any children of state/central government employee serving not less than 2 years in Nagaland. In that case, even Assam Rifle and Indian army children can be accommodated.
(d) Incase of failure to fill up by a, b, c, the seats are open for general from any part of India.
Therefore, I sincerely feel that creating misinformation, confusion through any means does not create healthy path for our common vision towards our struggle for Naga freedom. Through this I appeal to all Naga family, national workers and all NGOs to give cooperation to students’ agitation. It is high time in this globalized world for Nagas to think deep and give correct comments, and not be swayed bys cheap propaganda of self interest.
Zhimomi, NEHU Shillong
