Imphal, Nov 10:The six non-locals who were selected to appear in the viva voce for the 9 post of the Manipur Judicial Service Grade III have applied security coverage following the series of protest over their selection, said a highly reliable source.
Various students’ bodies including DESAM, KSA etc. have been protesting against the selection of the 6 non-locals .
A total of 27 candidates are reported to have been selected for the interview for the 9 post of MJS Grade –III.
The source added that as the non local applicants, selected for the interview felt insecure with the kind of protest and thus they applied for security while appearing the interview.
A source from the Manipur High Court said that concerns for the people sentiment over the issue for protection of indigenous people has prompted them to include a clause for the candidate in the eligibility criteria stating that candidates are desirable of having knowledge of either Manipuri or other local languages even as the guideline for selection procedure cannot be change by the Manipur High Court Authority.
On the other hand, talking to this reporter, some of the intellectuals who have been looking on the development said that, the demands by students’ body for inclusion of a clause in par with the Assam may not be relevant when it comes to the state of Manipur. He said that introduction of a clause like compulsory Manipuri subject either in class X or XII might face objection from section of people from within the state who did not opt Manipuri in either of the classes. This is being stated because many students in the state do not opt Manipuri in their class 10 exam, instead they chose alternative English or other local language.
Meanwhile, another source close to Imphal Times also said that there is a possibility that if any person complaints the matter to the Supreme Court then there is possibility that the interview might be shifted to either at Guwahati or Delhi. As the Judiciary has to comply with the rules of law of the land there is nothing that the Manipur High Court could do if such an order to shift the interview is issued by the SC.
Manipur High Court source, also added that if some people think that some clause for safeguarding the indigenous people is left out they should have come to the Court to challenge it at the time of publication of the advertisement and not at the time when everything is completed.
