SHILLONG: A public meeting organised by various groups in Nongstoin on Friday raised questions about the official procedure that was followed in the transfer of West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Arunkumar Kembhavi.
Angela Rangad of the Thma u Rangli u Juki said the transfer is unacceptable because “it is violation of law”.
“According to the Supreme Court order in 2013, if any officer is transferred before the prescribed term of two years, there should be a sitting by the Civil Service Board. Therefore, we seek to know whether the board was constituted… If procedures have not been followed, it means that it is illegal and unlawful and we will not accept such acts of oppression,” she said at the meeting.
The activist also suggested moving the Apex Court in this regard.
The chairman of the District Selection Committee, Wanphailang Dkhar, said West Khasi Hills has witnessed immense transformation under Kembhavi in the past 14 months and local youths are against the MDA government’s decision.
The participants called for stringent laws to strengthen the selection committee so that it does not yield to political pressure.
Shining Marthong, secretary of the Synsuk Nongsynshar Shnong of Nongkhnum, said language had never been a barrier in working with the non-tribal deputy commissioner
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council had recently said it would be convenient to have a tribal district head for convenience of business.
Lauding Kembhavi’s works and implementation of various schemes for the poor, Benam, a leader of the Seng Nongrep said it was for the first time that a high-rung government official took interest in the lower stratum of society.
“Let his creativity and innovative works continue for the poor,” he said.
The Sordar of Upper New Nongstoin, H Marwein, said people in the district “are fortunate” to get Kembhavi as the deputy commissioner”. The Sordar praised the cleanliness initiatives of the DC.
“He is a man of deeds which speak loud and clear. We should reward him for this,” he said and added that they “stand against this decision”.
( Among others who spoke at the meeting were D Sun of WKHSU and Agnes Kharshiing of the Civil Society Women Organisation.
Sun said despite Kembhavi being a non-tribal he took up the cause of youth unemployment. He also pointed out the inability of authorities concerned to extend help in solving unemployment. “If they refuse to work together for a greater cause then it is oppression on citizens,” he added.
Women rights activist Kharshiing said the public protest “is not an act of favouritism towards any politician or officer but it is to monitor the ways of violation of laws and protest against that”.
A signature campaign was moved for representation to the chief minister on Monday.
