Kohima, November 28 (MExN): As part of its indefinite agitation, the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has informed that it will lock down government offices and restrict movement of government-registered vehicles in the five eastern districts of Nagaland from November 30.
The announcement comes two days after the federation announced an indefinite agitation against the state government for not fulfilling its demands related to Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB) and non-implementation of personnel and administrative reforms by the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC). It had also said that it would boycott Statehood Day and Hornbill Festival as part of the agitation.
In a press release on Saturday, the ENSF informed that its meeting with the Chief Secretary on Saturday ended on an inconclusive note “as the state government could not fulfill the genuine demand placed by the federation.”
It stated that exemptions have been made for the offices, and movement of vehicles, of district administration, police, health, fire and emergency services and central agencies.
Meanwhile, a DIPR report on Saturday also stated that the Chief Secretary had invited ENSF representatives to deliberate on its demands related to NSSB and NPSC.
“The ENSF was apprised of the constitution of the cabinet sub-committee headed by Y Patton, Deputy Chief Minister, to look into the 6-point charter of demands pertaining to NSSB. Government has also set up a committee to review the job reservation policy of the state which is headed by J Alam, Chief Secretary, Nagaland. It was also apprised to ENSF that the matter was discussed in the Cabinet meeting on November 25,” it said.
The DIPR report also stated that the ENSF’s representation regarding non-implementation of P&AR OMs/notifications (4-charter of demands) was also discussed in the meeting. “The government has sought relevant data from NPSC and will further examine the specific matter and accordingly required action will be taken,” it stated.
The Chief Secretary assured the ENSF that the government would look into their demands, while pointing out that both the committees would require more time to examine all the pertinent issues.
He requested the federation to appreciate the government’s serious efforts in dealing with the subject; and appealed to withdraw their ultimatum and allow the government to take required decision in the larger public interest at the earliest possible time, the DIPR stated.
