Members of Angami Students’ Union picket the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima on April 25. (Morung Photo)
Sets two weeks deadline to examine discrepancies
Morung Express News
Kohima | April 25
The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) on April 25 picketed the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW) against alleged appointment of non-indigenous inhabitants of Kohima district in Grade-IV posts.
The indefinite picket started early in the morning wherein the union has locked the directorate and put up banner on the gate that reads ‘Demand for the Rights of Indigenous Inhabitants.’
The department had planned to observe World Malaria Day, but due to students denying entry to the venue, the programme was relocated to the Secretariat conference hall.
Referring to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (P&AR) Office Memorandum (OM) dated October 26, 2017, officials of the union alleged appointment of non-indigenous inhabitants of Kohima district in Grade-IV posts in the district offices of Health & Family Welfare.
It should be noted that the P&AR OM clearly stipulated that all direct recruitment vacancies for Grade-IV posts in District Offices of the departments will be filled by the indigenous inhabitants of the respective district. However, for recruitments to other Grade-IV posts in Directorate and Secretariat level offices, the reservation policy for backward tribes will be followed.
ASU officials further alleged that more than 20 non-indigenous inhabitants of Kohima district appointed in NHAK were regularised, thereby depriving the indigenous inhabitants of the district, particularly the Angami tribe, of their rights.
Despite meetings, RTIs and reminders regarding the OM, they maintained, the department paid no heed and went ahead to make further appointment.
“We are anguished and disappointed with the DoHFW for depriving the rights of the indigenous inhabitants of Kohima district. We have seen so many discrepancies in this department,” stated ASU President Khriesamhalie David Mere.
“We are here to fight for justice.”
Meanwhile, in response to the picketing, Commissioner & Secretary, DoHFW, V Kezo met with the union and issued an order withdrawing the appointment of one handyman in the establishment of the Chief Medical Officers, Kohima against the retirement vacancy citing it as a contravention of the OM issued by P&AR Department.
He also gave a written assurance to the ASU that the department will immediately begin examination of the allegations of appointment of non-indigenous inhabitants in NHAK as well diversion of posts from district hospital to NIMSR within a period of two weeks.
Necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the rights of the indigenous inhabitants of Kohima district are fully protected, it added.
The Commissioner & Secretary also informed that necessary instructions are being issued to the directorate and subordinate offices to ensure that no cases of appointments are processed and forwarded to the department in violation of the October 26, 2017 issued by P&AR Department.
“The details of the findings from this exercise shall be shared at the earliest for your further information,” he added in the letter.
Following this assurance, the ASU has temporarily kept its picketing in abeyance but cautioned all other district offices that to terminate any such appointment made in contravention to the OM within the next two weeks time or face action.
