Editor,
I wish to provide some perspectives from the Kuki community apropos of the letter to the editor “Peace in Manipur” by Chongtham Thangamba Meitei (ST July 19, 2023). The writer began by pointing out that Kukis attacked Meitei villages and in retaliation the Meitei attacked Kuki villages, which is a totally false narrative spread across the Meitei community. On May 3, 2023, Tribal Solidarity March was conducted under the aegis of All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) in all areas of hill districts in Manipur. The Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate was burnt down by some Meitei miscreants on this same day, which generated friction between the two groups. The incident happened while the Kuki people were travelling home from the rally. Video proof of the incident was widely shared on social media. This is exactly how the violence in Manipur increased. Manipur has experienced unprecedented levels of violence, and propagating false narratives is not encouraged.
Furthermore, Mr Meitei also stated that, ‘this conflict is not between the Hindu-Meitei and Kuki-Christian nor it is between tribals and non-tribals but between those who are in support of and against illegal immigrants, poppy cultivators and are therefore asking for separate administration’. It should be noted that the Meitei radicals targeted the Kuki people specifically, despite the fact that all tribal groups, including the Nagas, participated in the Tribal Solidarity March on May 3. Kuki localities and Kuki churches in Imphal were especially targeted and vandalised, while Kuki villages in the surrounding areas were burnt to the ground, resulting in 114 Kuki fatalities, 197 Kuki villages uprooted, and 159 Kuki churches burnt (Data available in https://www.itlfmediacell.com/). This strongly suggests—and it is undeniable—that the dominant Meitei community and the indigenous Kuki community are at odds. Radical Meitei organisations led by Manipur’s Chief Minister N. Biren Singh have allegedly referred to the Kuki community as refugees, illegal immigrants, drug dealers/peddlers, and narco-terrorists without any evidences. This has provoked the entire Meitei population to use this term specifically to target the Kuki community.
Without the Kuki demand for Separate Administration being met, Manipur’s prospects for peace are dim. The fact that state machinery and government troops were employed to slaughter and repress the Kuki people, driving them out of Meitei-dominated territories is enough evidence of the targeted attack. Killing, burning, torture, and beheading were all ongoing for more than two months. Additionally, Kuki women were paraded in public while naked and raped in broad daylight. All Meitei-dominated territories had been abandoned by Kukis, and there had been a demographic and geographic split. What other option do we have, given that the State administration is against us? we are compelled to demand for separate administration and we will fight till the end for this just demand.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Jangkhohao Hangshing
President
Kuki Students’ Organisation, Shillong
Unfair recruitment process
Editor,
As we know, unemployment has become a very disheartening cause for the youths of Meghalaya. With the growing population there is a huge demand for job creation. Failure on this front has led to society going haywire (increase in crime rate, poverty etc.) as can be seen in everyday reports covered by your esteemed daily. The government cannot neglect this issue but look into it with urgency and take necessary steps to ensure that posts are being created/filled and recruitment is done on a timely manner.
As we have seen repeatedly the recruitment of various post in government sectors is delayed for 2 to 3 years which results in a negative impact on the department, the existing employees and on the candidates who have eagerly applied and patiently waiting. This is enough to make them lose interest on whatever they have prepared and forge ahead with their career plans. But let’s not only talk about these delay but let’s look at an Institute of Excellence that was set up as a super specialty hospital but when it comes to recruitment it seems to be lacking.
Yes, NEIGRIHMS, although recommended as one of the best hospital in our state but the growing number of patients is directly proportional to work load that falls on existing doctors, nurses, allied healthcare staff and employees engaged with the Institute. The recent appointment of Nursing Officer is a positive step by the Institute but recently we have seen a number of posts advertised, eligible list notified, exams date scheduled only to be renotified that the examination has been cancelled due to administrative reasons. Is cancelling exams due to administrative constraints a valid reason? Don’t they think that this affects the eligible candidates? Is there something behind those walls of the administration? This is in fact the failure of the Administration.
Some of the notified order/ cancellation which came in the Institute website:
- No. NEIGR-E.III/12/2015/Pt. dated 17 March 2023; stated that the post of Store Keeper vide Adv. No. NEIGR-E.III/15/2014/Pt.IV dt. 15.11.2021 stands cancelled.
- No. NEIGR-GAD(RC)/08/2022/Pt dated 31st March, 2023; stated that the post of House Keeper and MTS (PWD) vide Adv No. NEIGR-E.III/08/2015/Pt. III dated 29th March, 2022 and Driver Gr. III vide Adv No. NEIGR-E.III/15/2014/Pt-V dated 28th Sept, 2022 stands cancelled.
- No. NEIGR/Exam/RE/2023/10 dated 17th June, 2023; stated that the post of Technical Assistant Adv No. NEIGR-E.III/10/2016/Pt dated 26th Feb, 2019, Sl. No. 7 and Adv No. NEIR-E.III/15/2014/Pt-IV dated 15th November, 2021, Sl. No. 9 stands cancelled.
Not only are they cancelled but the delay and the timeframe to even notify the post has been more than a year from the date of advertisement which violates the Dopt order O.M. No. Misc-14017/15/2015-Estt. (RR) dated 11.01.2016.
Are these the signs of what is to come with NEIGRIHMS recruitment? Are they going to advertise these vacant posts and candidates eagerly applying only to be notified after several years or months that the recruitment has been cancelled? Will such instances be repeated with other recruitments like the post of Assistant Accounts Officer, Health Educator, Medical Social Worker, Health Inspector, Radiographer, Reprographic Technician, Library Assistant and Driver Gr. III that was already advertised vide Adv No. NEIGR-E.III/15/2014/Pt. V on September 28, 2022. but no new notification released till date. Will the applicants suffer the same fate as others who have applied for previous vacancies but now stands cancelled.
These delays maybe due to inadequate or outdated procedures, technology used for recruitment which is supposed to be designed to handle large volumes of applicants or a cause of bureaucratic red tape and administrative delays or funds constraints. Such problems shouldn’t be associated with reputed Institutes like NEIGRIHMS. But no matter what the reason is, it cannot justify cancelling the recruitment unless there is interference for self-gain that could be involved in the delays and cancellations.
These delays in recruitment delay an cancellation may also be repeated in the future and can negatively impact the candidates making them uncertain since there is no clear timeline on the status of the recruitment process. This results in loss of opportunity, diminished morale especially for candidates who have invested their efforts, time and resources for preparation of exams only to be notified that the recruitment has been cancelled which leads to frustration, disillusionment and skill obsolescence as it does not provide an opportunity to apply their skills effectively. And if a post is advertised to fill a vacancy, wont it hamper the efficiency or add to the pressure of the existing employees if its delayed/cancelled.
Hence these delays and cancellations are unfair and unjustified, particularly given the time and effort some of the youths have invested in preparation of the applications right to the preparation for exams. This has deprived many of their rights and opportunities and also undermined the confidence that people have on the Institute to provide a fair and transparent recruitment process. This has left some to question the integrity and professionalism of the NEIGRIHMS Administration to handle the recruitment process.
Yours etc.,
Dei-Hame Balajied,
Via email