ATSUM's pleading on who should be next CS
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, April 18 2013: The apex tribal students' body of Manipur has urged the Chief Minister of Manipur to appoint the seniormost IAS officer available in the State as the next Chief Secretary of the State.

"We, the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), bring this plea with the highest respect and great hope that you will kindly give due consideration to our pleadings that we are in the knowledge that the present Chief Secretary of Manipur is retiring this month after many years of illustrious service.

We believe and trust that your government will act as always, keeping the interest of all people of Manipur, by upholding the rule of law and existing convention in the matter of appointing the next Chief Secretary of Manipur", the student body said in a representation submitted to the Chief Minister.

"It is our pride that of the available IAS officers in the State today, the seniormost officers are tribals.

It is our earnest hope and prayer that the seniormost officer will be given the opportunity to serve the State as the next Chief Secretary," the apex tribal students' body added.

"We beseech you to ensure that no one is overlooked while filling up this all important post of Chief Secretary.

Unwillingness to accept the seniormost officer who happened to be a tribal, will not only cause deep hurt disenchantment in the bureaucracy but also contribute to the already existing social divide in this multi-ethnic, multi-cultural social fabric of Manipur," ATSUM leaders further said.

The apex tribal students' body then said, "Our shared experiences of the past made us cautious about the issue at hand but we are not pessimistic.

However, if seniority is not given its due in this appointment, wrongly or rightly, it could be assumed as a communal manifestation of the present government.

As such, the sincere effort of the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government to bring development to all parts and population of the state may be taken as cheap propaganda and our long cherish goal of living in harmony is likely to be harmed due to the hard psyche of the people and for want of political will to maintain fairness when such political decisions are made" .

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