Kohima, October 27 (MExN): The Nagaland Civil Service Association (NCSA) has urged the state government to constitute an impartial and time-bound inquiry into allegations levelled against Temsuwati Longkumer, NCS, Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire, while appealing to the public to refrain from trying the officer in the social media.
In a press release here, NCSA President Kethosituo Sekhose, NCS, said the Association has taken note of the allegations raised against Longkumer, a bonafide member of the NCSA, through a representation submitted to the Commissioner, Nagaland, and subsequently circulated widely on social media.
The Association said it recognises and respects the right of every citizen to raise grievances against public servants and affirmed that no public servant is above scrutiny. Allegations of misconduct, if supported by evidence, must be examined seriously and impartially by the competent authority in accordance with law, it said.
However, the NCSA expressed concern that the allegations are being extensively discussed and judged in the public domain before being examined by the appropriate disciplinary or investigative authority. Public circulation of unverified allegations, however serious, should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing, it said.
“Premature conclusions, personal attacks and trial by social media can cause irreversible harm to the reputation and dignity of a serving officer, and may also prejudice a fair and impartial inquiry,” Sekhose said.
The Association appealed to members of the public, civil society organisations, media personnel and social-media users to exercise restraint and refrain from making or amplifying unverified claims, personal vilification or definitive conclusions regarding the conduct of the Deputy Commissioner or any other government servant.
It urged the competent authority of the Government of Nagaland to constitute an impartial, fair and time-bound inquiry into all the allegations raised in the representation, and reiterated its commitment to accountability, transparency, integrity and ethical public service.
The NCSA said it believes that accountability can be upheld only through due process, fairness, protection of individual dignity and reliance on evidence, and appealed to all stakeholders to allow the lawful process to take its course and ensure that the pursuit of truth is not replaced by speculation, prejudice or public condemnation.
