The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) has strongly condemned what it termed as the “defamation and mental harassment” of an officer from Eastern Nagaland amid the ongoing state-wide agitation over the IAS induction issue, spearheaded by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ENPO said it was “taking moral responsibility” to protect and safeguard its citizens after the agitation had “turned otherwise” by targeting, trolling, defaming and inflicting mental trauma upon Dr. Anungla Imdong Phom, Additional Director, DUDA, on social media.

“Such moves has become personalized and has unfairly tarnished the reputation of the concerned individual,” the ENPO said terming it as “unbecoming in our Christian state”.

While reaffirming that the right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution, the ENPO said it cannot remain a silent spectator when “the move to reform should not turn into destruction of one’s individual integrity, image and character assassination.”

Expressing dismay over what it described as the “silence and lukewarm attitude” of the State Government on the ongoing state-wide pen down strike, the ENPO questioned why the issue had been allowed to drag on for so long. It said citizens have every right to question whether the “entire drama is being engineered and doctored to victimise the citizen of Eastern Nagaland.”

The statement further noted that some individuals and associations had gone to the extent of making “detestable personal remarks” that maligned the reputation of the officer concerned, and urged the State Government to intervene immediately to bring an amicable resolution to the crisis.

“The ENPO has been closely following the IAS induction issue that has been dragging on for long and it has observed that things are gradually turning ugly,” it said. “Any illegality in the process should be pursued and settled in the appropriate forum. However, causing suffering to the common public that doesn’t have any role whatsoever, tantamount to offence against the innocent,” it further stated.

The ENPO also reminded that government servants work under certain authorities and warned that “targeting an individual or person by any agitating parties in the pursuit of their interest, instead of pursuing through the relevant authority is certainly a case of cross the limit.

YTC:

The Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) has expressed serious concern over the ongoing IAS induction imbroglio in Nagaland vis-à-vis pen down/tool down strike, which has created inconveniences and hampered the smooth functioning of government offices across the state.

Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play

In a statement issued by YTC president, Throngso Yimkhiung and secretary, K Hankiu on Thursday, the Council condemned the targeting and circulation of the image of Dr. Anungla Imdong Phom, Additional Director, DUDA, on social media, calling such actions “unethical and undemocratic.”

“The Council condemns such acts which are tantamount to defamation and character assassination of an officer of the state,” the statement said, appealing to all individuals and organizations to refrain from making such remark against any individual.

The YTC clarified that the State Government is following the rules prescribed by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, in nominating officers and shortlisting candidates for induction into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from the Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) category. It noted that the eligibility and performance criteria are duly examined before shortlisting candidates, as has been the practice in previous years.

“The selection process and procedures should be left to the wisdom of the State Government. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry should not act as if one is part of the Selection Committee,” the statement asserted.

The Council said since the government of the day is coming out with the Selected List after thorough scrutiny, it should not be a problem for any individual or organization. It emphasized that the selected candidates would still undergo another round of interviews. “However, the hue and cry in the state looks like an individual is already declared for IAS,” the YTC said and appealed to give space to the Government to decide in the best interest and welfare of all the Nagas.