IMPHAL, April 18 NNN : The apex tribal students\u2019 body of Manipur has urged the chief minister of Manipur to appoint the seniormost IAS officer available in the state as the next chief secretary of Manipur.
\n\u201cWe the All Tribal Students\u2019 Union Manipur (ATSUM) bringing this plea with the highest respect and great hope that you will kindly give due consideration to our pleadings that we are in the knowledge that the present chief secretary, Manipur is retiring this month after many years of illustrious service,\u201d said the ATSUM leaders today.
\n\u201cWe believe and trust that your government will act as always, keeping the interest of all people of Manipur, by upholding the rule of law and existing convention in the matter of appointing the next chief secretary of Manipur.
\n\u201cIt is our pride that of the available of IAS officers in the state today, the seniormost officers are tribals from the state. It is our earnest hope and prayer that the seniormost officer will be given the opportunity to serve the state as the next chief secretary,\u201d the apex tribal students\u2019 body added. The apex tribal students\u2019 body then said, \u201cOur shared experiences of the past made us cautious about the issue at hand but sir, we are not pessimistic. However, if seniority is not given its due in this appointment, wrongly or rightly, it could be assumed as a communal manifestation of the present government<\/p>\n\n