Dimapur, Oct 24 (MExN): Maintaining that lest his silence be misinterpreted as admission of guilt, the Nagaland Public Services Commission (NPSC) Controller of Examinations, Kevi Liegise, has issued a clarification in reaction to the Naga Students Federation (NSF) calling for a CBI inquiry and bringing the CoE to public trail in the NPSC bribery case.
While admitting that he is not a “paragon of virtue” and have many weaknesses as a person, Liegise stated that his work as a CoE have been performed without fear or favor. “Towards this end, I request, in fact expect, the NSF to fully support the commission instead of attacking it with every conceivable allegation and often blown-out-of-proportion. My heart still aches at the thought of question papers being burned under pressure from the NSF although there are no evidence of leakage whatsoever” Liegise stated in a clarification. He said the NPSC was forced to undergo the tedious reexamination of answer scripts again in the absence of any evidence of malpractices. “Some of the candidates themselves expressed surprise that the commission allowed reexamination which they have never heard of in other places. These are some of the sacrifices the commission has already made for the sake of transparency. If we had anything to hide, we would never have consented to these measures” the CoE stated.
Further while admitting that mistakes have been committed “for which we have always apologized” he said the important issue is that almost all of them have been detected within the commission itself and corrective measures taken. “We have often faced the humiliation of doors forcefully opened, tables almost banged for daring to admit our mistakes. The NSF in its letter have charged as to why the commission ‘entertain the complaint even after the result is declared thereby humiliated the already declared passed candidates?’
How can we not entertain if a complaint is genuine? In such cases, we swallow our pride and beg forgiveness because justice cannot be compromised” Liegise averred. He also took note of the NSF’s charge that the Chairman’s “integrity is doubtful” and that he has “unethically defended CoE…” These and certain other statements of top officials of the NSF are bewildering to say the least, statements that they will find extremely hard to defend if faced with the need to do so, he stated. “Should such a situation arise, will they, as gentlemen, swallow their pride and apologize as we in the commission so often does, or will they search for more allegations because they themselves can do no wrong” the CoE queried.
Acknowledging that the NSF is a powerful body, Liegise appealed that the power and influence to lead the Nagas be used for truth and justice. He added: “It may interest the NSF to know that my tenure as CoE, NPSC will be over by June of 2007. I would have left the commission long ago when the scam broke out but I could not because I strongly believe that the way to solve a problem is to face it and not run away. By choosing to stay, I have suffered some inconveniences but I consider them a small price to pay in defense of certain principles one holds dear”.
