Manipur Tribal Body Demands Strict Implementation of ST Reservation in Havildar Promotion

Ukhrul, Mar 19: The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), General Headquarters, has submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur, urging the government to withhold the promotion process for Havildars appointed on or before 2001 until the promotion of left-out eligible ST Havildars appointed on or before 2004 is carried out.  The representation to ensure strict implementation of Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation in promotion was also copied to the Director General of Police (DGP), Manipur.

TYCM stated that in 2022, the Home Department initiated a promotion process through Lieu Message No. E/30/27/2022(Hav-Jem)/PHQ(Adm)/4599, for eligible Havildars appointed before 2004 for promotion to the rank of Jemadar under the 85% category in the Manipur Rifles (MR) and India Reserve Battalion (IRB). The process was intended for those who had successfully passed the pre-promotion selection test prescribed by the state government and had satisfactorily completed the required probation period with five years of regular service in the grade.

Following this, the Home Department promoted 44 Havildars to the rank of Jemadar via Order No. H-901/3/2023-HD-HD, dated 04/09/2023, issued by the Joint Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur. However, some eligible ST Havildars appointed on or before 2004 were left out/excluded.

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Consequently, the Home Department initiated a new promotion process for Havildars appointed on or before 2001 in the Manipur Rifles (MR) and India Reserve Battalion (IRB) through Lieu Message No. E/30/27/2024(Hav-Jem)/PHQ(Adm)/572, dated 29/01/2025, instead of resolving the pending promotion of the left-out/excluded ST Havildars appointed on or before 2004.

The tribal body stated that this reversal of the promotion process, instead of moving forward in chronological order, raised serious concerns regarding fairness, transparency, and the equitable treatment of ST personnel. It also added that the government seems to be attempting to undermine or systematically dismantle ST reservations in promotions

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“Surprisingly, the promotion process is being handled regressively, prioritizing older batches while disregarding the rightful claims of the 2004 batch, earlier, or onwards, along with other eligible candidates. This move by the Police Department appears to be a deliberate attempt to bypass, sideline, or exclude the Havildars appointed on or before 2004 and undermine the reservation policy in promotions, thereby violating the rights of Scheduled Tribes (ST) instead of ensuring fair representation and equitable opportunities in the promotion process,” TYCM said.

“If the government proceeds with the promotion process for Havildars appointed on or before 2001, those Havildars appointed in 2004 or earlier who are nearing retirement will miss the opportunity for promotion, which is unjust and deprives them of their rightful career advancement. The State Government and the concerned department’s actions amount to a clear violation, suppression, and discrimination against the constitutional rights of the tribal communities in Manipur,” TYCM said.

Additionally, the TYCM-GHQ, expressing strong opposition, stated that it would reject the ongoing promotion process for Havildars appointed on or before 2001 until the promotion of the left-out eligible ST Havildars appointed on or before 2004 is fully completed. It further demanded the promotion process for those appointed from 2004 onwards be carried out as per the entitled quota of Scheduled Tribes (ST) in promotion.

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