KSO Sadar Hills Slams ‘Gross Negligence’ by PHED, TA&Hills Officials; Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum

The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Sadar Hills, on Thursday launched a scathing attack on officials of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and the Tribal Affairs & Hills (TA&Hills) Department in Kangpokpi, accusing them of “chronic negligence, dereliction of duty and administrative apathy” affecting the public.

The student body said it had received repeated complaints from the public regarding “irregularities and persistent absenteeism” by the Executive Engineer (EE), PHED, Kangpokpi Division, and the Deputy Director, TA&Hills, Kangpokpi.

Acting on these complaints, KSO Sadar Hills executives conducted a surprise inspection at the offices of both departments located within the DC Office Complex earlier in the day.

“The inquiry has confirmed the public’s allegations of irregular attendance and inefficiency, severely hampering essential public services,” the statement said, describing the findings as “deeply alarming and unacceptable.”

Condemning what it termed as a “systemic collapse of accountability,” the student body issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the concerned officials to report to duty regularly and discharge their responsibilities with immediate effect.

It further demanded that the officials demonstrate “genuine commitment” towards resolving public grievances, warning that failure to comply would leave them with “no moral ground to continue in office.”

“In the event of continued non-performance, the concerned officials must step down from their posts,” the organisation asserted.

The KSO cautioned that non-compliance within the stipulated timeframe would compel it to initiate “necessary democratic actions,” adding that it would not remain a “silent spectator to such blatant negligence.”

Urging public cooperation, the organisation said further steps would be taken based on the response of the officials concerned.

The development comes amid growing discontent among residents over the functioning of key public service departments in the district.