Drawing attention to former minister K.Therie’s accusation that his remark –– backward label on Chakhesangs a great shame –– was an embarrassment to Chakhesangs, the state parliamentary secretary social welfare & women development Chotisuh Sazo Tuesday said his speech was misconstrued and wrongly interpreted by K. Therie.
According to a press rejoinder received from parliamentary secretary Sazo, he had placed three suggestions before the Chakhesang Gazzetted Officers’ Forum while appreciating and understanding that the forum was a respected body whereby general public seeks its direction. “I have emphatically asked the forum to evolve and formulate appropriate strategies to take our people out of the backward tribe status,” said Sazo.
The parliamentary secretary said he had clearly mentioned that many Chakhesangs have benefitted from “this categorization” (backward), but there could be rooms for complacency if they continue to be under backward label for too long.
“And thus I have challenged the august gathering that this label today should be a matter of great shame instead and thus it should not take us long before we move out of this backward category,” he said.
To his way of thinking, Sazo said Chakhesangs should not remain in the backward status indefinitely, but should move ahead and compete with others on equal footing in a phased wise manner.
“And whatever I have stated is in quest for our people to progress and not to please anyone above or below,” Sazo stated. But, regrettably, Sazo said Therie, who was also present in the gathering, took his speech “totally out of context”. Sazo said he was giving a clarion call to Chakhesang Gazetted Officers’ Forum to chart a roadmap to hasten the process of elevating “our status.”
“A senior leader, I personally respect him, but viewing everything from his own lens is reprehensible,” said Sazo, adding he totally agreed with Chakhesang Public Organisation when they have unambiguously stated that “it would be a matter of pride and honour for the community to be elevated to the advanced category through proper review by competent authority”.
The repeated accusations of Therie both in print and his verbal speeches that present Chakhesang leaders have not protected the rights of the Chakhesangs are left for the public to judge, the parliamentary secretary said. He reminded that 25% reservation provided to six tribes was undertaken when K.Therie was the then cabinet minister in the previous DAN government. “Abiding and Committing reservation for the deserving tribes at his time and washing his hand in the public is left for the people to judge,” Sazo further said.
Chotisuh Sazo, who represents 18-Chozuba A/C, said that current legislators along with other public leaders engaged and lobbied with the government to enhance reservation of the Chakhesangs until a total review of reservation was undertaken by an independent commission.
He said that government, recognizing the authenticity and genuineness of the demand, has in its wise decision February 17 last enhanced the backward tribe (BT) reservation for Chakhesang, Zeliang and Pochury tribes from 8% to 10% and 2% for the Sumi tribe of Kiphire district.
“I would like to ask K.Therie, that as a senior Chakhesang leader, you should come up with healthy and constructive suggestions to improve the status of our community,” Sazo said.
Meanwhile, he regretted “inadvertent printing error” that crept in his speech which stated that there were around 20% government servants constituting the total tribe.
Sazo, however, said no scientific and exhaustive study has been undertaken by any authority or agency to ascertain the number of government employees with tribal segregation till date.
RELATED POSTS
View all
