Imphal: The High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination 2024, conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM), began on Friday amid tight security across the 154 exam centers. The exams coincided with a 48-hour strike called by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
According to BOSEM chairman Akham Joykumar Singh, a total of 37,715 students are appearing for the class 10 board exam this year, with 27,281 students from private schools, 9119 from government schools, and 1313 others from government-aided schools. For the smooth conduct of the HSLC exam, heavy security arrangement was put in place and CrPC section 144 was imposed in and around the close perimeter of each exam center.
Moreover, a control room is opened under one senior officer of BOSEM to resolve issues and problems that arise during the examination, he added.
After the announcement of a 48-hour general strike from Thursday midnight by valley-based CSOs, there were tensions and anxiety among the parents and students appearing for the exam. The general strike called in against the recent arrests of UNLF cadres by the NIA has affected normal activities, especially public transportation in the valley areas and inter-district transportation. However, there was no untoward incident, and the exams were held at the scheduled time smoothly across the centers.
“We were apprehensive due to bandh and shutdown announcements by CSOs. And for the first time, we are allowing students to enter the campus after the commencement of the examination because some students are late due to certain unavoidable circumstances like the unavailability of vehicles on time,” said Vinita Elangbam, principal, of TG Higher Secondary School, who is also the officer-in-charge of the exam center.
Loukrakpam Pratima, who came to drop off her daughter, expressed relief that they could reach the exam center on time without any hassles.
“I feel that such bandh should not be imposed during the exams because such announcements give parents and students tension and apprehension about the availability of transportation to reach the exam center on time,” said Pratima, a resident of Kongpal in Imphal East.
Meanwhile, despite the general strike imposed, vehicular movement was witnessed in Imphal city but in fewer numbers. However, all business establishments in major markets, including Ima Keithel, Paona Bazaar, and Thangal Bazaar, remained closed. Petrol pumps were also shut on account of the 48-hour general strike in the state.
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