Ibobi Govt 'sacrifices' Ukhrul DC on the altar of Youth Congress
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray
Ukhrul, August 05 2013:
The timing is simply intriguing! Is the Okram Ibobi Singh government caving in to the persistent pressure of Tangkhul frontal organisations? Is it a policy of give and take that is on the roll? In a major administrative reshuffle, the state government has issued an order on Monday evening to transfer deputy commissioner R Sudhan out of Ukhrul district.
On the eve of one-day state level youth convention of the Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC) for discussion on "Food Security till 2013," the incumbent DC R Sudhan has been transferred out of Ukhrul district.
According to an official source, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has approved transfer and posting of IAS officers including that of Ukhrul DC on Monday evening.
The incumbent DC has been replaced by MACs project director Shailesh Kumar Chowrasia.
Sudhan has been promoted to joint secretary (Transport) with additional charge of director (vigilance) and MACS project director.
Interestingly, as the news of Sudhan's transfers has come just on the eve of youth convention on Tuesday, there has been a triumphant feeling among the TFOs.
At the same time, there are also wild speculations that Ukhrul DC might have been compromised by the Congress government for youth Congress convention tomorrow.
In a high profile meet Tuesday, Deputy CM Gaikhangam is to grace as chief guest in the backdrop of nearly a month-long TFO's agitation for DC removal.
He will be joined by state Congress dignitaries including minister Govindas Konthoujam, deputy speaker MK Preshow Shimray, parliamentary secretaries Victor Keishing and Amit Shah, and MLA (Khurai A/C) Dr.Ng Bijoy Singh.
Other high-profile list also includes AICC secretary and MP Meenakshi Natarajan, Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president F.Rajeev will arrive at Ukhrul accompanied by IYC general secretary (NE) Mahendren, IYC secretary (state in-charge) Deepika Pandey and PCC member (Ukhrul) Alfred Khangam among others.
Tuesday's visit comprising several state political dignitaries and Congress party leaders would be the first in Ukhrul ever since the declaration of "severance of political ties" by Naga Peoples' Convention at Tahamzam on July 1, 2010 .
Political pundits felt that the Ibobi government has tactfully included Sudhan in a reshuffle on Monday with an intention to save the youth congress convention in Ukhrul from any embarrassment.
In fact, the belligerent TFO comprising TNL, TSL, TKS, TMNL and four Longphangs have been pressing their demand for DC's transfer for nearly a month now.
After invoking a "public curfew" in the district, the organisations have been on "non-cooperation movement" since July 26 .