Dimapur, September 13 (MExN): An infuriated Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) today lashed out at the Neiphiu Rio-government and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) for targeting teachers but covering ministers – including former education minister Imkong Imchen and senior government officials named in the controversial investigations into the “bogus” teachers’ scam. The murky but unspoken underplay of politics and using teachers as scapegoats to ‘protect’ ministers and high government officials was expressed openly by the WSSU today.
A letter was received here today addressed to the chief minister of Nagaland, Home minister, ‘ex-officio director’ of School Education and the DIG of Vigilance. The WSSU minced no words that most of the appointments of the 1991 post-creation period were done during Imkong L Imchen’s tenure.
An elaborate letter from the WSSU vehemently accused the government and the SIT of brushing under the carpet the name of Home minister Imkong L Imchen and several high-level government functionaries. Concealing the powers-that-be, only the lower officials and teachers have been targeted, an angry WSSU said. The Vigilance Commission’s SIT was also accused of hiding names of senior government officials. The WSSU further pulled up the Education Committee for ‘overlooking’ this “anomaly” (concealing the names of high-level state bureaucrats and others) and categorizing as ‘bogus’ many teachers who were actually given clean chits.
The SIT of the SVC was constituted on February 7, 2009 to investigate into allegations of illegal/bogus appointment of school teachers in the School Education department. The SIT report was submitted to the government on February 26, 2010.
“The WSSU place these disturbing developments before the ill-motive officials dealing this never ending issue in the interest of poor students,” the union stated, commencing to question the holes into the entire murky affair. The WSSU said the vigilance’s report clearly indicated the involvement of “the Minister of Education,” but the SIT sidelined the names and focused only on teachers.
The WSSU also cited a proof of the underhand dealings, citing a SIT page. The following is stated to be from Page 31 of the SIT report: “Government approval for appointments under the school education dept. were mostly conveyed under the signature of Mr. Murohu, deputy secretary and Mr. Yantsso Khuvung, under secretary, S.E on 7th Feb 2008. Mr. Murohu has written a letter vide No. EDS/MISC-2/2002 Dated 7th Feb 2008 to Director of School education under the subject ‘Cancellation of Approval under 1991 post creation’ to treat all approval conveyed under his signature as cancelled. Mr. Murohu could not give any satisfactory explanations as to the arbitrary decision conveyed in the said letter, which effectively cancels all the approvals conveyed under his signature. Though he is not disclosing the facts, it is suspected that some underhand dealings in regard to appointment of teachers were going on: involving high level government functionaries”
This indicates that the Vigilance SIT has been biased, victimizing only the weaker sections, an unhappy WSSU stated. Also, the union said 14 officials were arrested and released on bail during the investigation period (SIT report page-28) but only the director was placed under suspension and the rest deputed to other departments or promoted “to enjoy and practice same modus operandi.” The accused named are Nipusilie (Director School Education), Obang Jamir (SIS Mokokchung and presently AHM GHSS Shamator) and Chuba Yanger, Litsaba Sangtam, Limawapang, Sentitoshi (deceased), Tongpangnok, Moanaro, Sunjemliba, Mayangliba, Limasenla Jamir, Temjenchiba, Shilukala and Lipokmeren.
“Why is the Vigilance SIT withholding the identity/designation of the 12 persons (from serial number 3-14)? Who are they? Are they related to Director Vigilance or top brass of state government?” the WSU demanded to know. The WSSU doubted the integrity of the Vigilance that involved persons who misused authority were let free but the teachers targeted. “Many teachers were given clean chit by the vigilance though they have SAME reasons categorized as ‘Bogus’,” the union stated.
It further added that “Ironically, 5-member committee headed by Commissioner & Secretary, Education, for observation held on 04.03.2010 also overlooked these anomalies of the SIT report. It is clear that the attempt was not at all for cleansing of educational system but focused to victimize teachers...”
The WSSU mentioned an obvious name but not normally talked about openly: “Most of the appointments of 1991 post creation number were done during Imkong L Imchen ministership. He should be booked before anyone is even questioned if law is for everyone or is he too big for Vigilance net.”
The union expressed strong disapproval that under the present government of Nagaland the criminal and corrupt continue to roam free. “Whereas, crores of rupees caught in the residence of present Chief Engineer PWD, crores of rupees caught with Accountant DRDA Mon by the Assam police, the then indicted DIS Tuensang Lanu Imchen caught selling free text book at Jorhat, are all Scot Free…” the union lashed out.
“Where is Justice if government can overlook the bigger criminals but deal with iron hand on innocent Teachers? Will there be peace if justice is not fairly delivered? Who will be blamed or held responsible if anti social takes its breed because of such injustices? Will the government blame the aggrieved teachers? The WSSU is not trying to incite tribalism but to tell those people in the authority ‘enough is enough’ we can see their naked game of tribalism.”
Imkong Imchen is accused of threatening his Cabinet colleagues and the chief minister in a cabinet meeting “to arrest him first before any of his loyalist agents of fraudulent appointment, namely Mr. Murohu, Khuvung and Mr. P. Mhathung Jami Sr. Accounts Officer Directorate of School education is suspended.”
“Fear to tackle such coerced character of an irresponsible minister, should the teachers be sacrificed at the altar of tribalism? Will the vigilance say they don’t care what others do if Teachers from Sumi area is punished, the job is done? Will the government or Vigilance justify that 100 appointment order against a single post creation number valid because their applications routed through files and approved by Minister?”
The union also expressed ‘pain’ at the ‘arrogant attitude’ of the Government especially Commissioner & Secretary Mhathung Kithan. “Is he handling issued on piece meal basis deliberately to continue holding dual charges of both administrative and directorate office? He is not even going through the genuine ground submitted by the aggrieved teachers through Special Verification Committee of each district headed by Deputy Commissioners. Why is he not declaring the SVC result?” the union queried.
The WSSU seeks a fair trial against the visible dealings of the government and its agencies whose intentions are ‘too obvious to remain silent.’ Neiphiu Rio is told to intervene immediately “before these few vested officials trying to terminate innocent teachers to reappoint their own candidates for their political mileage.”
