Kohima, Dec 1 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) today staged an agitation following the failure of the government to hand over the NPSC case to the CBI.
“Nagas losing confidence on NPSC,” “NPSC should not be misused for selfish gain,” “Let justice prevail; do not tamper it,” “People’s government does not promote corruption, nepotism,” “We want sound system in NPSC,” “Save NPSC, Save younger generation,” “Why DAN government reluctant to hand over NPSC scam to CBI ?,” “DAN government lacks political will to clean NPSC, why?,” reads some of placards at the agitation near MLA Hostel junction.
An effigy, scripted with the slogan “Favoritism, Nepotism, Corruption”, was also burnt at the protest site.
Stating that the NSF was concerned about the future generation, NSF President Phushika Awomi questioned as to why the government was reluctant to hand over the NPSC case to the CBI and ‘cleanse’ it.
Saying that it had submitted representation after representations and memorandum after memorandums to the government over the issue, the President wanted to know when the change would come.
He said the NSF was not targeting any individual or community but looking at an opportunity to clean it. He alleged that the investigation was not done properly.
“We are not against anybody, we are against the system,” he added.
This is the launching pad of our agitation, he said adding that the NSF would persist to get justice and will go to any extent.
Representatives of various units also spoke on the occasion and extended solidarity to the NSF and vowed to fight till justice was delivered.
Earlier, the Angami Public Organisation (APO) had appealed to the NSF to call off the proposed agitation in the larger interest of the Naga people and in order to avoid any possible misunderstanding or confrontation.
In a letter addressed to NSF President dated December 1, the APO reiterated its standing resolution that “it will not allow any agitation in its territory without its consent; and in this connection the APO had no prior knowledge about any agitation to be launched in its tribal territory by the NSF. Any attempt to defy the sentiment of the people shall be most unfortunate.”
It said that APO totally disapproved of any kind of agitation taking place during important Hornbill festival in the State capital.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Lalhuma, IAS in a letter addressed to the NSF President on November 30 also requested the NSF to call off the proposed agitation.
Lalhuma informed the NSF that the government had initiated legal and departmental action against the accused persons in the matter of irregularities unveiled in the functioning of the NPSC in recent times.
“However, in the event that serious flaws either in the process of investigation or even in the miscarriage of justice is brought to light, the government will not be averse to the idea of handing over the case to any other agencies for undertaking fresh investigation and legal proceedings,” the letter stated.
Lalhuma also stated the government has an open mind to the idea of constituting a High Powered Committee to recommend measures to improve the functioning and the image of the NPSC.
