Imphal: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) delivered a stern memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University on Wednesday. The group demanded immediate fixes to tribal student welfare and academic access. The university’s ST/SC Cell exists in name only. It operates at a nominal capacity despite clear University Grants Commission (UGC) provisions.
ANSAM wants the cell fully functional. It must monitor reservation policies in admissions and faculty recruitment, protect the welfare of students and staff, and serve as a formal grievance redressal mechanism. The student body also slammed the reliance on the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for postgraduate admissions. This system burdens students in remote areas. Travel is dangerous. Security concerns persist. Costs are high.
The current setup lacks National Testing Agency (NTA) exam centres in key districts like Ukhrul, Senapati, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, and Chandel. The association insists the university coordinate with the NTA and the UGC to open test sites in every major hill district headquarters. Until then, ANSAM suggests a state-level entrance exam for postgraduate applicants.
The group also challenged the practice of converting unfilled Scheduled Tribe seats into Scheduled Caste seats. ANSAM stated, “The reservation policy should be implemented in accordance with the law,” and called for full transparency in seat conversion. They argue that the university’s current approach violates the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Amendment Act, 2012. The association seeks strict adherence to these federal protections to ensure tribal students do not lose their academic year.
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