DIMAPUR, JUNE 3 : To show resentment at the Tourism department for allegedly appointing “five excess” tourism officers in the department, members of a group organized under the platform of the Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) organized a sit-in protest behind the Tourist Lodge in Dimapur on Friday.
The group also gave a press conference at the venue of the protest. Led by their president, Wedieu Kronu, the members alleged corruption in the appointment of five ‘excess’ tourism officers in said department.
The general secretary of the NPRAAF, Hito Swu, alleged ‘massive corruption’ taking place and ‘massive misuse of infrastructure funds.’ Calling the forum as a weapon to fight corruption and to seek justice for the “educated unemployed” youths, Swu assured to seek justice through peaceful, democratic and non-violent agitations.
The group has placed a number of demands before the Tourism department. The members said that the forum was formed to ‘disapprove corruption’ and fight corruption but not against any individual or group. They have urged concerned citizens to step forward and raise their voice against corruption. ‘Good people remaining silent is one of the major a problems of the society,’ they said.
A representation addressed to the director of the department of Tourism was handed out to reporters.
The representation placed several demands. The NPRAAF cited findings as combed out by the RTI, various forms of irregularities in the appointment process of class-III staffers and tourist class-II gazette officers. The group has demanded cancellation of the alleged anomalous appointments and to ensure necessary corrective measures in said regard.
The group said that the sanctioned strength was for only 12 tourist officers. Out of 17 posts (including five excess posts) only two entered service through the NPSC as tourist assistant and tourist guide, who were subsequently promoted to tourism officers.
The organization has demanded cancellation of the appointment of four tourism officers. The group expressed surprise that while there was illegally-appointed and excess officers, Kiphire district did not even have a tourism officer. The group also demanded that the cancelled posts be placed before the NPSC as a requisition.
The NPRAAF has planned protests in phases to bring the issue of irregular and anomalous appointments in the department to ‘its logical conclusion.’
The NPRAAF is said to have formed by a group of likeminded individuals from various professions aiming to fight corruption and ensure justice for ‘educated unemployed youths.’ The forum was launched on February 27, 2016, with the motto ‘Justice for All’ and had been revealing corruption in various government departments in Nagaland.
As published in Eastern Mirror on February 29, the NPRAAF has iterated a vow to fight for the rights of citizens.
