DESAM urges Government to reconsider CUET exam centers within Manipur

IT News
Imphal, Mar 7:

The Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has urged the Government of Manipur to reconsider the allocation of examination centers for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) within Manipur itself. The current unrest stemming from conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki communities poses significant challenges for students traveling outside the state to reach examination centers. Nongthombam Thoithoiba, Secretary General of DESAM, highlighted this issue during a press conference at Kwakeithel, emphasizing the difficulties students face in accessing examination centers located in states like Assam amidst the ongoing violence in Manipur.
He further implored the Chief Minister of Manipur, the state’s education minister, and the Union Minister of State for Education to carefully consider this issue and relocate the examination centers for Manipur’s students within the state itself. He reiterated that participating in this university examination often incurs substantial expenses for students, including costly travel and accommodation. “The airfare to and from Manipur places a significant burden on students’ parents,” he emphasized. “For many families, this financial strain is simply untenable, risking the futures of numerous students who may miss out on pursuing higher education. Furthermore, traveling by road amidst the ongoing communal conflict is perilous and presents an unacceptable risk to students’ safety.”
He expressed DESAM’s appreciation for the initiative to hold CUET but cautioned that conducting the examination outside the state could severely impact students’ ability to participate, given the current situation in Manipur. DESAM emphasized that if students are unable to appear for the examination due to the circumstances in Manipur, it would detrimentally affect their academic prospects.
Furthermore, DESAM informed that a memorandum has been formally submitted to the Chief Minister, the State Education Minister, and the Union Minister of State for Education, outlining the pressing issue and urging them to take action to ensure that examination centers for Manipuri students are established within Manipur itself.