Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 18 (EMN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Wednesday began its second phase of agitation on expiry of its ultimatum to the state government to implement the Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB).
The federation hoisted a black flag and displayed banners and placards at its office headquarters in Kohima. Directives were also given to all its federating units and sub-ordinates to conduct the same.
The officials of the NSF stated that this decision was taken at its consultative meeting held on March 16.
President of NSF Ninoto Awomi hoisted the black flag in the presence of NSF officials and others, followed by display of banners and placards. It was simultaneously carried out by the Angami Students’ Union in the state capital.
A press conference was also held in the president’s office chamber later in the afternoon highlighting the four charters of demand. The president said, “Considering the expiry of our ultimatum that was submitted to the state government, we had consultative meeting on March 16 and we deliberated in regard to the expiry of our ultimatum what kind of course we should initiate to pressure the government.”
“During the consultative meeting, we unanimously resolved that, considering the Covid-19 epidemics as for now, we have kept all our mass democratic agitation in abeyance.
But in the meantime, we have also resolved and decided this second phase of agitation by putting up black flags, banners and posters to show our resentment to the state government (and) to fulfil our four charters of demand,” he added.
The charters of demand are:
“Starting from today, all the federating units and sub-ordinate bodies are carrying out this second phase of agitation in their respective jurisdiction,” Awomi said.
“Despite the second phase of agitation, if the Nagaland government turns deaf ear to the demands and aspirations of the student community, then the third phase of agitation will be a severe one and it will be a mass democratic agitation, state-wide, under the NSF jurisdiction,” he added
The president said that after the first phase of agitation, the NSF had received a letter from the government stating that it had constituted a Staff Selection Board (SSB) committee and asked the federation to keep the agitation in abeyance.
However, Awomi maintained that despite the committee finalising the policies and being forwarded to the government, it (government) had delayed the implementation of the charter of demands.
“What we are demanding is for the interest of the students and the interest of the entire Nagas,” he said.
He also reiterated that the federation wants the government to have a consultation with all the stakeholders for approval with regard to the first charter of demand at the earliest.
“Approve and implement the NSSB policy forwarded to the government by the NSSB Committee after thorough consultations with all stakeholders,” he said and sought immediate issue of the notification with regard to the remaining three other demands.