Naga soldiers did the country proud in the Kargil war

Kohima, May 30: They are known to be tough, committed and fearless, characteristics that shone through when a handful of them faced the most daunting challenge of their lives on the icy heights of Kargil.

The number of Naga youths who choose to enrol in the armed forces has, however, always been a source of concern. To correct the imbalance, the army has now begun training these hardy youths to get into the armed forces.

Of the several Nagas who recently underwent pre-recruitment training, Mon-based Tongong Konyak was the only one to get past the Services Selection Board for a short-service commission. But army officials reckon even a solitary recruit is not bad for starters.

?I have been recommended and hope to be in Chennai by October,? said Tongong today after meeting governor Shyamal Datta and the inspector-general of the Assam Rifles (North).

For those who missed the bus, there is encouraging news from the Indian Air Force (IAF). A panel of IAF officers is expected to visit the capital towns of the northeastern states in the first week of June to handpick prospective officers.

?The IAF will be selecting candidates on the spot for the first time and it augurs well for the region,? a senior army official said.

During his recent visit to Shillong, the IAF chief pointed out that officers from the Northeast constituted not more then five per cent of the air force ranks. But the equation finally appears to be changing for the army in Nagaland, notwithstanding opposition from militant groups and other organisations.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio has been supporting the Sainik School in Peren district. The Nagaland government and the Rajya Sainik Board have even put up a huge hoarding with the slogan, ?Join the Armed Forces?, in the heart of Kohima.

The hoarding depicts Naga heroes of the Kargil conflict and a group of young officers expressing jubilation. If that is not motivating enough, the laudatory comments of army veterans might spur Naga youths to join the armed forces.

?I worked with Nagas and their agility in areas like Kargil was amazing,? said retired colonel Ravindra Nath.