Members of Ex-Servicemen League Nagaland with Lieutenant General Abhijit S Pendharkar, GOC, 3 Corps, at Rangapahar Military Station during their meeting on October 3. (Photo Courtesy: ESMLN)
Dimapur, October 5 (MExN): The Ex-Servicemen League Nagaland (ESMLN), led by its president, Maj Vikuto Asumi (Retd), called on Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Corps, at Rangapahar Military Station (RMS) on October 3 to discuss pressing issues concerning the welfare of ex-servicemen in Nagaland.
A press release from the ESMLN informed that during the meeting, the delegation highlighted several challenges faced by ex-servicemen, including the acute shortage of officers and office staff in the Rajya Sainik Board (RSB) and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSB) across all districts.
The ESMLN pointed out that “legal complications, unethical backdoor appointments,” and delays by the State Home Department in the recruitment process, advertised in January 2025, have left the staff functioning at less than 40% of authorised strength, mostly with overaged employees. The delegation urged immediate steps to fill vacancies to ensure efficient functioning.
The delegation also emphasised the need for 5% job reservation for indigenous ex-servicemen in state government departments, as per central and state policies. Citing examples from other states, they requested the GOC to take up the matter with the Government of Nagaland for implementation.
Another issue highlighted was the non-empanelment of adequate local private hospitals under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), forcing veterans to travel outside the state for better medical care. The ESMLN appealed for prompt empanelment of hospitals within Nagaland.
The non-conduct of the annual RSB Board meetings, chaired by the Governor of Nagaland and attended by ex-servicemen, defence officials, and the Chief Minister, was also raised. The delegation noted that these meetings have not been held for several years, stalling key policy decisions affecting veterans.
Further, the ESMLN requested a special recruitment rally in Nagaland, exclusively for indigenous youth, to serve in the Naga and Assam Regiment, aiming to strengthen local representation in the armed forces.
The delegation also flagged concerns over harassment of ex-servicemen entrepreneurs through illegal taxation by Naga political groups using civilian intermediaries and association leaders, which they described as “organised crime” operating with tacit collusion from government and non-government stakeholders.
The GOC gave the delegation a patient hearing, engaged in a collaborative discussion, and assured that the issues raised would be taken up with the appropriate higher authorities for necessary consideration, the release added.
