Students protest at Chingmeirong in Imphal on Saturday
Newmai News Network
Imphal | April 7
Several student organizations today staged sit-in protest at Chingmeirong in Imphal today against the State Government of Manipur for its "failure to appoint deserving senior most local IAS officer" as Chief Secretary (CS) of Manipur as demanded.
The students will also carry out a mass rally on April 10 in this connection.
All Tribal Student Union, Manipur (ATSUM), Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMs), Kuki Students Organisation, General Headquarters (KSO/GHQ), and All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) organized the today’s protest.
Speaking to media persons at the protest site, ATSUM Tribunal Secretary, Joseph R Hmar questioned as to why the State Government prefers non-local officer as CS when there is no dearth of deserving and qualified local senior IAS officers.
He added that they are also demanding to appointment of CS based on seniority, and not through “influences and connections.”
Hmar also appealed the State Government to show respect and regards to the “native IAS officers” saying, "To become a Chief Secretary is a dream of each and every IAS officer".
Also speaking on the occasion, DESAM advisor M Agamba said that the protest is justified
The protest is also to question the State Government whether it is working in the interest of the local people, he added.
Later in the afternoon, the student organisations submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren demanding the appointment of a “native IAS officer” as CS of Manipur.
The memorandum was jointly signed by ATSUM, DESAM, AIMS, KSO/GHQ, and ANSAM.
The joint memorandum alleged that there have been several unfair, discriminatory and hurtful decisions taken by the government in the recent past.
According to the memorandum, the hills were left out in development and the tribal people’s grievances were unheard and ignored.
“They were made to feel like second class citizens in their own State. Now the situation has started changing with the coming to power of the BJP Government in Manipur but needs further reinforcing and consolidation”.
The memorandum then said that the State Government has embarked on a new course of equitable and fair development, social engagement and reconciliation amongst the different communities in the State.
“The Chief Minister has travelled to the hill districts with a mission “Go to the Hills’ and met various tribal communities under the slogan ‘Ching Tam Amatani’ and shared the vision, hope and aspirations and in doing so Government has touched the right chord”, it stated.
“They now feel closer to the government than ever before. But one decision which has caused deep anguish and distress remains unaddressed,” the memorandum also said.
“It is the feeling of being shunned and unwanted. This wound is still open, treated and has not healed,” it added.
The memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister of Manipur then said, “The BJP Government under your leadership has picked up the theme of unity — Chingtam Amatani”. It further said,
“It was ill-advised when it first came to power in Manipur to follow the bad precedence set by the previous government by appointing a junior officer and ignoring a senior and native officer for the post of the Chief Secretary,” the memorandum pointed out.
“The ATSUM, DESAM, AIMS, KSO/GHQ and ANSAM and many other right thinking organizations would endorse the view that an opportunity has been thrown upon the Government now to set things right as the post of Chief Secretary remain vacant,” it stated.
“It is our prayer and demand that a native IAS officer in the state cadre should be given an opportunity to serve the people of the State. This move will translate the mission 'Go to the Hills' and slogan 'Ching Tam Amatani' into an action and dispel the general belief that has crept into the minds of the people that the Government of Manipur does not favour the tribals for any top post in the State Government, given the recent history”, the memorandum added.
