IMPHAL: The Delhi high court has asked the Centre, Manipur government and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to provide their stance on a petition seeking the establishment of additional examination centres for civil services and Indian Forest Service aspirants in Manipur, a troubled Northeast state.
A bench led by acting chief justice Manmohan issued a notice regarding the plea filed by the Zomi Students Federation.
The petition aims to ensure that tribal candidates from the hill districts in Manipur have sufficient opportunities to participate in the civil services and Indian Forest Service preliminary examination scheduled for May 26.
The petitioner has urged the authorities to establish examination centres in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts of Manipur, areas deeply affected by prolonged ethnic tensions.
Additionally, they have requested the reopening of the application window to allow aspirants to choose their preferred examination centre.
During the hearing, the counsel representing the UPSC informed the court that the commission had corresponded with the Manipur chief secretary on three occasions regarding the opening of examination centres in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Ukhrul.
However, no response has been received thus far.
The UPSC emphasized the need for collaboration with the Manipur government to ensure adequate arrangements for conducting the examinations and sought the state’s input on the feasibility of the proposal.
The bench, including justice Manmeet PS Arora, directed the Centre’s counsel to provide instructions on the matter, emphasizing the importance of ensuring security, particularly given the current situation.
Manipur has been embroiled in violence since May 2023, sparked by a high court order prompting the state government to consider including the non-tribal Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list.
The ensuing ethnic clashes have resulted in over 200 fatalities and hundreds of injuries.