Imphal: Overcoming all the challenges arising out of the ethnic violence in Manipur, more than 3,300 candidates on Sunday appeared for the UPSC preliminary examinations at 12 designated centres here, an official said.
No untoward incident has been reported in the state capital since this morning, police said.
“Altogether, 4,051 candidates had registered for UPSC preliminary tests at 12 sub-centres in Imphal. However, due to the ongoing violence, 700 had opted to appear for the exam at centres outside the state,” an official of the Manipur Public Service Commission said.
In view of the Manipur violence that began on May 3, the Union Public Service Commission had given options to civil service aspirants from the state to appear for the preliminary tests at centres in Aizwal, Kohima, Shillong, Kolkata and Delhi, he said.
Documents such as admit card would serve as curfew pass on exam day, the official said.
Security has been tightened across the state, following the ethnic clashes between the majority Meitei community and the Kukis, a police officer said.
G Leivon, a tribal candidate appearing for the exam from Bishnupur district, said, “I didn’t face any problem coming to Imphal to appear for the exam. In the greater Imphal area, the situation is normal. We hope that there would be no problem during and after the tests.”
Another candidate Th Nikita felt that her preparation for the UPSC prelims, one of the most important stages for aspiring civil servants in the country, was affected to some extent due to the suspension of the internet.
“Our preparations were affected to some extent in the last 25 days due to the suspension of the internet as our tutors and instructors could not share study notes with us. However, we have come here to appear for the exam without any disturbance.”
During this month, ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur claimed the lives of over 70 people, and 10,000 security forces were deployed even as a curfew was imposed and internet services were suspended.
Clashes broke out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Dear Reader,
Over the past four years, EastMojo revolutionised the coverage of Northeast India through our sharp, impactful, and unbiased coverage. And we are not saying this: you, our readers, say so about us. Thanks to you, we have become Northeast India’s largest, independent, multimedia digital news platform.
Now, we need your help to sustain what you started.
We are fiercely protective of our ‘independent’ status and would like to remain so: it helps us provide quality journalism free from biases and agendas. From travelling to the remotest regions to cover various issues to paying local reporters honest wages to encourage them, we spend our money on where it matters.
Now, we seek your support in remaining truly independent, unbiased, and objective. We want to show the world that it is possible to cover issues that matter to the people without asking for corporate and/or government support. We can do it without them; we cannot do it without you.
Support independent journalism, subscribe to EastMojo.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
The violence in the northeastern state was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
Also read | Separate admin right solution to end violence in Manipur: Cong leader
Trending Stories
- Arunachal Congress slams China over treatment of Wushu players
- Mizoram: Former ZPM members speak out, allege deception
- I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, now what?
- Centre to provide in-kind aid to Manipur IDPs in Mizoram
- Man survives bear attack in Mizoram
- Refusal of visa to Arunachal athletes against Olympic charter: Anurag Thakur
