ASU officials addressing media personnel during a press conference held this evening at its office at Kohima.
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 4
The Angami Students' Union (ASU) has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interest and rights of indigenous inhabitants in regard to the Grade IV appointments in district offices.
This comes amid the ongoing grievances about appointments being made in contravention of the government’s Office Memorandum dated October 26, 2017, that these positions be reserved for indigenous inhabitants of the district.
Addressing media personnel this evening at its office, ASU president Khriesamhalie David Mere stated that over the years, ASU has been voicing out the rights of the indigenous inhabitants, and one such matter, he added is the grade IV appointments made under the district offices.
Against the backdrop of some confusion among the public, he also clarified that on this issue the ASU is fighting for the rights of indigenous inhabitants in district offices, and not the Directorate offices.
Despite its repeated appeals, he pointed out that the state government has been making appointments in contravention to the OM. In this regard, he reminded the picketing of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) office on April 25, 2024, wherein following this protest, the appointment made on February 15, 2024, was terminated.
Consequently, following the additional time sought by the department and the state government to address a similar issue at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) through a written assurance, he informed that it has temporarily suspended its picketing.
Upon a response received on May 27, the President said ASU is ‘very disappointed’ with the department’s inaction regarding the termination of six non-indigenous appointments at NHAK.
“Until and unless the rights of the indigenous inhabitants of our people are reinstated, we will leave no stone unturned, and will stand to fight till the last” he asserted.
ASU Vice President Thejalhoukho Thomas Khawakhrie emphasized the union’s vigilance against illegal appointments stating “we are totally against those illegal appointments. We are vigilant and maintaining strict watch over such illegal appointments being made” adding that some departments are not willing to provide the information.
It expressed disappointment at the Department of H&FW’s failure to uphold its assurances time and again, the first being on April 25 to address the issue within two weeks time, wherein after a lapse of 14 days, the department has expressed its inability to take any action citing Parliamentary election code of conduct
Against this backdrop, ASU General Secretary, Vimeyiekho Vitso cautioned of intensifying its efforts if the matter remains unresolved. “Any future actions will be more intense than our previous picketing. We will intensify the mode of our approach and action plans that we intend to do to pursue this issue” Vitso stated.
