‘Main demand is for the Gorkha community to be recognized as an OBC’
The Nagaland Gorkha Association (NGA) held its the Annual General Meeting in Mokokchung, hosted by the Gorkha Union Mokokchung, under the theme, “Role of NGA in relation to the Present Scenario in Nagaland: The way forward,” at Gorkha Community Hall Mokokchung on Sunday.
The fundamental goal of founding the NGA, according to Nobin Pradhan, President of the NGA, was to fight for the rights of indigenous Gorkhas. The Nagaland Gorkha Association’s main demand for the Gorkha community is to be recognized as an OBC. He said that it was nearly impossible for Gorkha graduate and postgraduate students to participate for competitive exams under the central government as general category, versus mainland Indians. He further stated that they have been presenting these issues to the Nagaland Government since 1995, to three Chief Ministers, namely, SC Jamir, Shürhozelie Liezietsü, and TR Zeliang.
Pradhan remarked that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also presented in 2017, to which the Government of Nagaland responded with a letter stating that the subject is a matter for the Central Government, thus no decision can be made by the state government. In this regard, he stated that in the year 2021, a bill called the 127th Amendment Bill was approved, giving the state government the authority to create its own OBC list. In relation to this law, he expressed confidence that the State Government will satisfy the Gorkhas’ demands.
Earlier, senior citizens Ranbir Thapa GB, Gorkha Community and Prakash Alley, Former President, Gorkha Union Mokokchung delivered brief exhortations.
During the meeting, Gorkha Union Mokokchung also felicitated Nim Bahdur Gurung for receiving district award on public service during the 76th Independence Day and Lil Bahadur Sonar for receiving district award on public service during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The program was chaired by P. K Thapa, Gen. Secy, NGA while Prahlad Gurung, President, GUM presented the welcome address and Vishal Dewan, VP, NGA delivered the vote of thanks.
The General meeting was attended by Gorkha Union delegates from Kohima, Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Peren, Naginimora, Wokha and Kiphire.
