Mon, February 29 (MExN): The Konyak Union (KU) on Saturday raised concerns on the Naga Students’ Federation’s (NSF) ultimatum/demand for a Nagaland State Selection Board (NSSB). The KU, Konyak Students’ Union and the Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong termed it as “unfortunate” and stated “Nagaland is yet to be ripen for NSSB.”
In a press release received here today, the KU viewed that “such domestic and reformative thoughts should have been rooted after thorough debate and consultation within the state.”
“While steadfastly upholding the banner for Naga unity and oneness,” it said “those signatories that involved our Naga brethren from Manipur seem lost and confused on this very practical issue.”
Let Nagaland Government and its citizens determine on the system of governance and execution within, it said while adding, “Our Naga brethren from Manipur should understand it in good faith.”
Nagaland state being a tribal state, any rectification moves within the state cannot be determined by some section/group alone, the KU stated. Without thorough consultation/digestion, the Konyak Union cannot endorse the concept of NSSB at this stage, it said.
As such, it said that such reformative moves should be laid for open public consultation and endorsement. It observed that the government should foster in solving those local issues in hand “which might turn parasite if left unattended.”
Justice delayed is justice denied
Further, the Konyak Union stated that tribal representation of the Konyaks in the state employment sector is very marginal or negligible, despite its huge population. As such, it made an appeal to the Naga civil society to “understand the pleas of those deprived section or tribe in the State.”
“The unemployment rate if not attended shall rather push its force towards insurgencies problem in the state. Hence, any reformative concept should have people’s endorsement and mandate,” it said.
In this regard, it stated that the KU had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio demanding for “social and economic equality through employment” where “every state share and allocation system should be based on territorial and population ratio.”
The State government is yet to act upon it, the Konyak Union said adding "Justice delayed is justice denied."
ASTD disapproves signatories
Meanwhile, the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) came out in support of the demand of Central Nagaland Students’ Association and Dimapur Ao Youth Organization who questioned the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on the signatories of the ultimatum served to the state government.
In a press release received on Saturday, the ASTD while appreciating the stand of the NSF against ‘rampant backdoor appointment,’ stated, “appending the signatures of other tribes from the neighbouring states in the purported ultimatum has raised a big question amongst all the tribes of Nagaland.”
As far as the governance of the state of Nagaland is concerned, it said “there is a clear demarcation between the state of Nagaland and other neighbouring states.”
Stating, “Such areas should be considered in the first instant,” it viewed that the ultimatum should have been served “from within the ambit parameter of the state of Nagaland.”
