Dimapur, January 14 (MExN): The set of demands forwarded to the Nagaland Public Service Commission following the events that led to the boycott of the CTE 2008 examinations by a number of students, is “unrealistic” and “unreasonable”, the commission says. The commission gave the reasons in a response issued by the commission, appended by its secretary Dellirose Sakhrie.
The demands made to the NPSC are immediate rescheduling of the examination, that question papers be set in MCQ-type and that the entire examination be ‘invalidated.’ The NPSC explained that forms for CTS examinations were issued in June 2007 with the information that MCQ-pattern would be followed. Receiving feedback in regard to the ‘inefficacy’ of MCQ in determining the actual ability of candidates, the commission decided to follow the objective-and-short type written answer pattern. Accordingly the NPSC in a notification dated October 30 fixed the examinations to be held December 7, 2007 and informed the candidates of the change of the exam pattern to be followed, in their call letters.
However, receiving request from various quarters for more time, the commission agreed to extend the date of examinations from December 7 to January 8, 2008.
The NPSC also highlighted a series of events regarding the examinations: Starting from January 8, till the morning session of January 10, the CTS examinations were conducted smoothly without any complaint whatsoever. It was only in the afternoon session of January 10 that some candidates with civil engineering background tried to disrupt the ongoing examination by encouraging other candidates in the halls to protest against the examination pattern. The commission immediately dealt with the situation and the agitators complied to write the paper. However, following the previous day’s incident, the same group of candidates tried to disrupt the morning session of January 11 but could not succeed as most of the candidates did not cooperate in boycotting the exams.
“In due course of time, it became evidently clear that the motive of the disgruntled candidates was to destabilize the whole examination process by forcing their fellow candidates to boycott the examination. The exam scheduled on January 11 and January 12 afternoon was boycotted under active mobilization of few leaders among which one person is reportedly stated to be a government servant who is serving as section officer in the department of Works & Housing, took the forefront in the agitation” the commission pointed out. Later, NSF and ASU leaders with some of the candidates discussed with the commission in the presence of the Kohima DC and SP on the 12th. “To the annoyance of one and all, one of the candidates came into the discussion in fully inebriated condition and accused the commission using arrogant and insinuating languages making their intention clear to disrupt the examination already completed” the NPSC lamented.
In a separate press statement, the NPSC also clarified to a number of queries posed to it by agitating students and also highlighted its side of the story over. The commission also made clear that the fate those who had already appeared for the examination, 445 of them out of 639, “cannot be jeopardized under any circumstance...” (The NPSC made clear here that out of the remaining 194 who have not completed their examination, majority have completed their papers in General Knowledge, general English and Optional First paper with the remaining papers as notified earlier)
“…in view of the protest followed by boycott of the examinations the commission has decided to defer the remaining examinations indefinitely. The commission would like to emphasize that the fate of 445 cannot be jeopardized under any circumstances as they have completed the process of examination as required” the NPSC said.
On the query why candidates were required to mention their name and tribe on the answer script, the commission pointed out that only those from the Backward Tribes are to give the required informed for the purpose of identifying the BT candidates. Further names and roll numbers on the detachable portion of the answer script is for codification and cross-checking and not to be sent to the examiner, it clarified.
Mentioning that out of the total 639 candidates who appeared for the CTE, 445 candidates completed their examinations for the post of ACF-2, Ranger-4, Forester-2, COPA-3, IT and ESM-2, electronics mechanic-2 and hostel warden-4, totaling to 19 posts. The remaining candidates have appeared for their optional first paper and the last paper is left to be appeared, the NPSC clarified. However, in view of the protest followed by boycott of the examinations the commission decided to defer the remaining examinations indefinitely. The commission emphasized that the fate of 445 cannot be jeopardized under any circumstances as they have completed the process of examination as required.
The NPSC also appealed to the public and all concerned and also to the agitating candidates to extend its unflinching support to conduct the examination without further hindrance because it is in the larger interest of the candidates in as much as there are many candidates who are willing to sit for the examination.
