Dimapur, August 4 : The Eastern Nagaland College Students' Union (ENCSU) has taken note that the government of Nagaland continues to offer silence to the issue of students’ scholarship. In response, the organization has directed its units to prepare for agitations now that the authorities had failed them.
The ENCSU issued a press release on Thursday noting that the government had chosen to remain ‘silent’ to the union’s ultimatum of July 26.
“It is very surprising to see the attitude of the government towards the deprived people, knowing the fact that the demand of the union is very genuine and appropriate but the government still remains mute instead of taking the matter into consideration,” the union complained.
“Even after the deadline given to the government is lapsed, the state government seems no interest (sic) to address the issue which actually the government has to take it as first priority because the government is well aware that the union is demanding what belong to us.”
The ENCSU also expressed surprise that “some government officials” were complicating the issue instead of addressing the matter: they are ‘trying to make the issue complicated by interpreting the laws of the Medical Council of India (MCI) and laws laid down by the state government wrongly.’
The union posed this question for the government to answer: “For this, the union would like to know from the Technical department and the state government as to how it is possible to implement two laws from different bodies in one examination? If the government and the department are to follow the directive of the MCI then which authority gave the department and the state government to reserved (sic) 15% for BT when the MCI notification has mentioned nothing as such?”
‘ If the department and the government were sincere ‘towards MCI and to follow the guideline of the MCI then they should implement it strictly but trying to manipulate the rights of the Backward Tribes and making the deprived people scapegoat for personal interest by interpreting the rules of the MCI incorrectly…’
Also, it stated, “If the department and the state government are to select the candidates based on merits and as per MCI rules than there is no point of setting up the Common Selection Board (CSB).”
The organization assured that it will not tolerate such stances. The ENCSU has warned the officials “to work with honesty as a good Christian, if not face dire consequences.”
Cautioning the department and the Nagaland government not to undermine the discernment of citizens, the union stated that the MCI had nothing to do with the examinations conducted by the state government.
“However if the department are to stick with the MCI guidelines than the exam conducted by the state should (be) cancelled immediately and let the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) conduct the exam based on MCI rules like in Bihar state. An excuse given by the department with the cut off mark which a candidate to qualified (sic) for a MBBS and BDS seat is just a make up laws (sic) for personal gain by few people on (sic) the bowl.”
According to the MCI, the union stated further, students only need to secure 50% and 40% “by general and other students” respectively in biology, chemistry and physics in their ‘12th examination.’
“However, taking advantage of all this lies and false information the department can't convince the union. We truly understand that the university / college from the Karnataka doesn't (sic) consider the Schedule Tribe from other states as ST except from their own state, and so ST candidates from other state has to get admitted in their colleges and universities as general students with 50 % marks.”
The ENCSU has directed all the college representatives to be “prepared mentally and physically and respond to union's call at any time positively.”
The union added that information about the first phase of action “as a result of failure by the government” will be intimated after consultations with other organizations.
