NTPRADAO backs JCC’s pen-down strike on IAS induction issue

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Transparency Public Rights Advocacy and Direct Action Organisation (NTPRADAO) has pledged 200 volunteers to support the Joint Coordination Committee’s (JCC) demand regarding IAS induction.

In a statement, NTPRADAO urged the JCC to continue with its pen-down strike, claiming that most of Nagaland’s population supports the movement but hesitates to express it openly due to fear of repercussions.

The organisation also appreciated the JCC for its “timely and wise decision” to put on hold the tools-down strike scheduled from October 27.

NTPRADAO further expressed appreciation and congratulated the All Nagaland Government Driver’s Association, Nagaland Civil Secretariat Driver’s Association, All Nagaland Directorate and District Government Driver’s Union, and the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Grade-4 Staff Employees Association for extending full support to the common cause of the JCC.

It appealed to these organisations to remain vigilant and ready to contribute to the success of the JCC’s demand.

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The organisation criticised the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) for urging withdrawal of the pen-down strike, asserting that India is a democratic country where citizens have the right to voice their concerns and fight for justice.

NTPRADAO advised ENSF to focus on student-related matters and to uphold democratic principles, adding that the reference to Kenya’s democratic example highlighted the importance of respecting dissenting voices.

According to NTPRADAO, ENSF’s position appeared contradictory to democratic values. It urged the federation to reconsider its stance and to confine its activities to student-related issues within its geographical area, cautioning against “dictatorial tendencies”.

Citing Kenya’s democratic practice, the organisation stated that the country’s respect for opposition leaders—referring to the recent state funeral of dissident leader Raila Odinga, which drew a crowd of 60,000—demonstrated “the beauty and grace of democracy”.

NTPRADAO also condemned what it termed a “so-called NTPRADAO (People’s Justice) faction” led by Mhabemo Lotha and S Andrew for “unnecessarily daring against the original NTPRADAO” led by President Phemching Konyak.

The organisation stated that high offices such as the IAS and the administrative system exist to serve the people and should not be manipulated for personal interests by a few vested groups. It warned that favouritism and nepotism breed public distrust and undermine the proper functioning of the state apparatus, leading to moral, administrative, and constitutional consequences.

It emphasised the need for a transparent and merit-based selection system for appointments to high offices, free from “invisible shadows”.

The statement concluded with an appeal to the JCC to remain united “with fervent prayers and deep conviction” to ensure that only constitutionally valid and merit-based candidates selected through the Nagaland Public Service Examination (NPSE) are empanelled and that backdoor-regularised candidates are withdrawn.