Morung Express News
Kohima | November 16
The sit in protest organized by the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland and the Public Service Aspirants of Nagaland (PSAN) against the Nagaland State Government entered its second day in Kohima today.
On Thursday, the protesters agitated outside the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) office, amidst security personnel guarding the NPSC entrance gate.
The protesters chanted and demanded “We want transparency” while accusing the NPSC board members of being corrupt.
The Public Coordination Committee (PCC), which is spearheading the protests, will be submitting a representation to the state government and the NPSC on November 17.
The protest is being held to demand setting up of an efficient Nagaland Lokayukta Bill at the earliest in toto; revoking the decision to scrap Class-III posts from the purview of the NPSC; declaration of marks and answer keys in all stages of NPSC examination and also declaration of waiting list and immediate termination of all backdoor appointments made after June 6, 2016.
A press note from the PCC informed that during their meeting with the NPSC today, the former put forth its demands, to which the NPSC Chairman stated that the commission had “no discretionary powers to accept the demands put up by PCC in its charter of demands.” The NPSC also reportedly referred to an Office Memorandum of the Government issued on August 3, 1995 which prevents the commission from declaring marks and waiting lists along with the result.
Therefore, the PCC has demanded that the government to immediately revoke the August 3, 1995 OM “which is seen as a means to avoid maintaining transparency in the exams conducted by NPSC.”
The PCC meanwhile thanked the Kohima Village Youth Organization for the refreshments provided to the protestors and informed that the Kohima Chambers of Commerce and Industries has offered to provide refreshments on the 3rd day of the protest. It urged the people for their continued support to the protest.
Angami elders concerned by APO statement
Meanwhile, expressing resentment against the Angami Public Organisation’s (APO) statement on disallowing any protest and agitation under its jurisdiction, concerned Angami elders/senior citizens today held a meeting at the Red Cross Building Conference Hall asserting that APO was built on the foundations of upholding the rights and working for the welfare of the people and its land.
Angami elder Kevi Suohu viewed that civil society organizations, especially APO, was built to work for the welfare of the people and not to volunteer at festivals, feasts and events funded by politicians and bureaucrats.
“From the beginning till yesterday, APO was built to support and fight for rights and justice and not to disallow others from agitating for a noble cause. We are ashamed,” said Suohu, who also viewed that the protest demanding for the Lokayukta and to stop backdoor appointments is just.
Recalling the beginning of the formation of APO, Angami elder Krurovi Peseyie meanwhile asserted that the leaders chosen in the earlier days were committed to serve the people towards justice and equality and not be influenced by any political party, faction or vested interest. The present leaders must continue to do so, reminded Peseyie.
Corruption is wrong, said Dr. Kepelhusie Terhüja, who pointed out the APO must stand for loftier ideals fighting against corruption and wrongdoings in society.
Chupfuo Kense, another Angami elder informed that on February 3, 1996, a resolution was passed by the APO while he was the General Secretary of APO. “According to the resolution, point no.7, individuals, organisations or groups are restricted from having bandh, procession strikes etc without permission of the APO. This resolution was passed with the intention of avoiding violence, bloodshed, riot etc in our community caused by individuals or groups having selfish vested interest,” he stated.
He however said that the APO does not oppose any individual or organisation working for the benefit of Naga people or fighting against corruption. “Therefore, the question of banning the agitation for Lokayukta and other demands by the Public Coordination Committee (PCC) does not arise,” he stated and appealed to the APO “not to misuse or misinterpret the resolution and instead work together for the benefit of the Naga people.”
A statement from the meeting of the Angami elders was also received stating that the “APO decision has compromised the honor and prestige of the whole Angami Community.”
APO notifies
The Angami Public Organisation (APO) meanwhile issued a statement informing that the declaration to ban protests and agitations within its jurisdiction was “unanimously decided” by the organization’s governing body. “This decision was issued on behalf of APO. This seemed to be misconstrued. It should not be read as a publication of KT Vilie theunuo, the Vice President of APO. It was published at the behest and on behalf of the organization after threadbare deliberation and consultation,” the APO informed in a press note issued by its President, Dr Vilhousa Seleyi today. “We do support all efforts by different sections of our society in its quest for justice as a public body.
Therefore, I’m obliged to appeal to everyone concerned to understand this as responsible citizens of our society,” the statement added.
