IMPHAL, Dec 10: Campus recruitment at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur has faced a 10-15% decline this year, with the ongoing unrest in the state being cited as the primary reason. Dr. Johnson Singh, the institution’s Training and Placement Officer, explained that the uncertainty created by the turmoil has made it difficult for companies to commit to on-campus recruitment.

He clarified that while some media reports had suggested a 40% decline in recruitment numbers, the actual drop in participation is between 10-15%. Although Dr. Singh did not specify which companies had reduced their involvement or withdrawn entirely, he acknowledged that many companies might have their own policies reflecting the unstable situation in Manipur or a lack of confidence in traveling to the region.

Despite the challenges, NIT Manipur has continued its online campus recruitment for the past two to three years, offering an alternative to in-person interviews. Dr. Singh expressed hope that as the state’s situation gradually improves, in-person recruitment could resume by the end of the next semester.

K. Tomba Singh, the Registrar of NIT Manipur, also emphasized the difficulties caused by the ongoing unrest. He highlighted that frequent lockdowns and curfews had instilled a “fear psychosis” among recruiters, further deterring them from visiting the state. He pointed out the stark difference between offline and online recruitment, acknowledging the significant impact the unrest has had on the recruitment process.

Despite these challenges, both parents and students remain hopeful about securing good jobs after graduation. Singh noted that, despite the career prospects being threatened by the ongoing turmoil, there is still strong optimism among students and their families. He also appealed to the public and the media to work toward improving the image of Manipur, stating that the frequent disruptions in the state were damaging its reputation. “People should try to create a good image of the state,” he concluded.