Zou Calls for Equal Opportunity Commission in Manipur

 NEW DELHI, AUG 18, 2014: Khamchinpau Zou @ K. Zou, a social activist and candidate for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat in 2014, has urged the Honourable Chief Minister and Vice Chancellor of Manipur University to establish an “Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC)” to promote integrity in Manipur. He argues that the current system of distributing state resources in employment, educational institutions, and development sectors has become a significant barrier to peaceful cohesion within the state.

Zou highlighted that the disproportionate allocation of state resources has led to the dominance of the majority elite Meitei community in government employment, universities, and the economy. Consequently, the indigenous Tribals, who make up around 35% of the state's population, have been marginalized and relegated to a second-class status, resulting in widespread discontent. He emphasized the need to eliminate such unconstitutional and irrational discrimination or find alternative arrangements to foster peaceful coexistence.

Additionally, Zou raised concerns that even some senior tribal government officials, including IAS, IPS, MCS officers, and directors, often face deprivation of their rightful claims to promotions, postings, and work allocations. He pointed out that Hill people are frequently denied their fair share of reservations in educational institutions, central-sponsored professional courses, employment, and other development schemes. The demand for the implementation of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act 2012 at Manipur University, voiced by both groups of ATSUM, serves as a recent example of the apathy shown by the institution. Zou noted that such acts of partiality and chauvinism against specific sections of society reflect a cold-war-like atmosphere in the state.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal

 (Special Correspondent of The Mizoram Post | The Northeast Today | Manipur Chronicle | Zogam Today)

 

 

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