"Appointment of next Chief Secretary according to seniority list"
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," stated 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. 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.