ATSUM for justice to tribal bureaucrats
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, May 09 2013: All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has been putting its maxiumum effort in what it calls 'trying to deliver justice' to the tribal bureaucrats in Manipur.

ATSUM alleged that right from the start, in the history of Manipur, majority of the tribal bureaucrats got retired without enjoying their dues.

The tribal students' body also alleged that the same yardstick was not used on tribal bureaucrats when they met misfortune as in the cases of IPS officers Hopingson and Thangthuam who were killed by militants.

"When Kasom Khullen sub-divisional officer (SDO) Dr Kishan was killed by militants his wife was made an MCS (Manipur Civil Service) officer but nothing that sort was done for IPS officers Hopingson and Thangthuam," pointed the tribal students' body today and urged, "The same yardstick should be used by Manipur government in these cases" .

ATSUM then asserted that when the present chief secretary of Manipur D.S Poonia retires in three months' time the government of Manipur should go by the rules by appointing the next chief secretary on seniority list.

According to ATSUM, a tribal IAS officer is the senior most officer now next to the present chief secretary.

ATSUM said its fear and apprehension that the Manipur government may again skip the tribal officers and appoint a non-tribal officer as the next chief secretary have been triggered by the past instances.

It pointed out the case of former IPS officer Peter Ciphang who was never given his due as the director general of police (DGP) though he deserved the post.

ATSUM alleged that a non-tribal junior to late C.Peter became the DGP of the state while the senior tribal IPS officer was adjusted as the additional DGP of Manipur.

"C Peter felt humiliated," added the ATSUM.

It urged that after the incumbent DGP retires the Manipur government does not discriminate the tribal IPS officers again by denying their dues.

"If these cases can be construed as discrimination," the tribal students' body terms.

ATSUM then said it appreciated the government for bifurcating the erstwhile Tribal Affairs and Hills.

However, ATSUM said after the present joint director of the Hills Department retires a tribal officer should be appointed as the next joint director of the department.

According to the tribal students' body, on seniority list next to the present joint director only tribal bureaucrats are lining up.

ATSUM also said tribal women officers should not be overlooked by the state government in the State Women Commission saying there are senior tribal women officers fit for the post of the chairperson.

It can be recalled here that on April 18 ATSUM had apprised the chief minister of Manipur on the appointment of the next chief secretary and on April 26, it had taken the matter to the Prime Minister.

Apprising the Prime Minister and the chief minister, ATSUM in its memorandums said, "We the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) bringing this plea with the highest respect and great hope that you will kindly give due consideration to our pleadings that sir, we are in the knowledge that the present chief secretary, 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.

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

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 had added.

"We beseech you sir, 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 had further said.

The apex tribal students' body then said, "Our shared experiences of the past made us cautious about the issue at hand but sir, 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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