The Kuki Students’ Organisation has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court, urging the reinstatement of Churachandpur, Manipur, as an examination venue for the Staff Selection Commission exams for the current academic year and beyond.
The petition specifically requests that the court directs both the SSC and the Manipur government to make suitable arrangements for tribal students in the hill districts, particularly to facilitate their travel to Aizawl, Mizoram, as Churachandpur is no longer designated as an exam center.
During a hearing, the counsels for the respondents requested additional time to gather instructions on the matter. The bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan and including Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, adjourned the case until October 16.
Filed by Advocate Rudrajit Ghosh, the plea argues that the SSC’s decision to remove Churachandpur as an examination venue is unreasonable and lacks a valid basis.
The petition claims that this decision contradicts reports from competent government officials and appears arbitrary, violating the fair and reasonable standards expected of state institutions.
The Kuki Students’ Organisation emphasizes that the decision threatens the future prospects of hundreds of Kuki-Zo tribal students, particularly given the limited educational opportunities available in Manipur’s hill districts. Many of these students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and the loss of a nearby exam center could significantly hinder their chances of success, jeopardizing the future of an entire generation of educated tribal youth.
Furthermore, the plea highlights the difficulties faced by students during the recent Combined Graduate Level Examination (Tier-I) 2024.
Over 500 candidates from the Kuki community, who had originally selected Churachandpur as their exam venue, were reassigned to Aizawl, Mizoram. This relocation created significant challenges, including navigating difficult hill roads and incurring high travel costs, complicating their journey to the new exam location.
Many students from economically weaker sections struggled to find accommodation and basic amenities in Aizawl, which led some to forgo the exam entirely. Despite these hurdles, the petitioner managed to rally community support, assisting around 280 candidates in traveling to Aizawl to participate in their exams.
In summary, the plea seeks urgent attention to address the educational needs of tribal students in Manipur, aiming to ensure that they have equitable access to examination opportunities without facing undue hardship.
The court’s decision on the matter will be eagerly awaited by the affected students and their community.
