DIMAPUR, SEPT 26 (MExN): Responding to “an appeal to CM” made by a person named Kuthopo Tunyi of Pfutsero alleging irregularities in the selection of candidates for the 12th IRB in the recruitment rally held recently, the Nagaland Police today said that “the selection process was based on merit and there was no question of favouring any candidate as sponsored by this or that politician as all the Board members vouch for it.”
With the intention to ensure a just and fair selection of candidates, agencies and departments other than the Police were also involved in the selection Board, a Police release said. “In Phek, the Recruitment Board comprised of DIG (HQ) as chairman, SP Phek as Member Secretary, Deputy Commissioner Phek (from the Administration) and a Capt. of the Assam Rifles (From the paramilitary) stationed in Phek as the other members.”
Police rejoined that board members were physically present throughout the rally and at no point of time there was direction or instruction from any politician in favour of any candidate.
“The Recruitment Board members were all responsible senior Government officials and there was simply no scope for any non-member to ‘have the privilege to check secretly the marks scored by the candidates through the help of some right-thinking officers in the interview Board,’” the release said.
Further, the allegation that “candidates scoring below pass marks are selected, while candidates scoring more than 90% are dropped” has been termed as totally erroneous and baseless.
“If however Kuthopo Tunyi feels that he can or has any proof/evidence or any material to support his contention, he is welcome to come to the PHQ and meet the Board chairman who will be ready to brief him on the proceedings of the Recruitment Rally of 12th IRB, Phek District, to his satisfaction.”
Interestingly, while replying to Tunyi’s allegation that not even a single candidate had been recommended by MLAs K Therie and Deo Nukhu, NPF Phek Division President Chivotso Nienu had yesterday provided “the number of candidates recommended and selected” in the different assembly constituencies under Phek District.
“Recruitment into IRB is not just a question of recommendation made by legislators. The candidates have to meet certain standards of mental and physical qualifications wherein no partiality should be entertained,” he had also stated.
