Imphal, Oct 7: The Kuki Students’ Organization has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking the reinstatement of Churachandpur, Manipur, as an examination venue for the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) exams. The plea requests the Delhi High Court to issue directions to the SSC and the Manipur government to make appropriate arrangements for tribal students from the hill districts of Manipur, particularly to facilitate their travel to Aizawl, Mizoram, after Churachandpur was removed as an SSC exam venue.
During a hearing on Monday, the respondents’ counsels sought time to gather instructions on the matter. The bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, adjourned the case to October 16.
The plea, filed by Advocate Rudrajit Ghosh, argues that the removal of Churachandpur as an SSC exam centre is arbitrary, lacks a reasonable basis, and contradicts reports from government officials. The petition asserts that this decision violates the fair and reasonable standards expected from state institutions and endangers the future of hundreds of Kuki-Zo tribal students from Manipur’s hill districts, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The organization highlights that the decision could severely impact students’ opportunities, especially those from economically weaker sections who may find it challenging to travel to distant venues like Aizawl. The plea cites the recent Combined Graduate Level Examination (Tier-I) 2024, where over 500 Kuki community candidates, who had selected Churachandpur as their exam venue, were reassigned to Aizawl, Mizoram. The reassignment posed significant challenges, including difficult travel conditions, high costs, and a lack of accommodations.
Many candidates faced difficulties in securing basic amenities in Aizawl, leading some to miss the exam entirely. Despite these obstacles, the Kuki Students’ Organization mobilized community support to assist around 280 candidates in reaching Aizawl for the exams. The plea underscores the need for immediate action to ensure future opportunities for tribal students.
