The Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has voiced its concerns regarding the allocation of examination centers for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) within Manipur itself, urging the Government to reconsider its decision. In a press conference held today, DESAM’s secretary general, Nongthombam Thoithoiba, highlighted the challenges faced by students due to the ongoing conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. He emphasized the difficulties students encounter in accessing examination centers located in states like Assam amidst the prevalent unrest in Manipur.
Thoithoiba urged the Chief Minister of Manipur, the state’s education minister, and the Union Minister of State for Education to carefully review this matter and relocate the examination centers for Manipur’s students within the state itself. He stressed that participation in university examinations often imposes significant financial burdens on students, including expensive travel and accommodation costs. “The airfare to and from Manipur places a significant burden on students’ parents,” Thoithoiba emphasized. “For many families, this financial strain is simply untenable, jeopardizing the educational prospects of numerous students who may be unable to afford higher education. Moreover, traveling by road amidst the ongoing communal conflict poses a serious risk to students’ safety.”
While expressing gratitude for the organization of CUET, Thoithoiba cautioned that conducting the examination outside the state could severely impede students’ ability to participate, given the current situation in Manipur. DESAM has formally submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, the State Education Minister, and the Union Minister of State for Education, outlining the urgent need to establish examination centers for Manipuri students within Manipur itself.