The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has submitted a representation to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, demanding special security and administrative arrangements for NEET (UG) 2026 candidates from Senapati and Tamenglong districts who face dangerous travel conditions to reach their examination centres in Imphal amid the ongoing crisis.
Time Pressure
The representation signed by ANSAM Secretary, Education & Editor Huten Joyful Anal, submitted to the chief minister on Wednesday, comes with just four days remaining before the national medical entrance examination scheduled for June 21, 2026. Students from the two districts have been allotted test centres in Imphal, requiring them to traverse routes currently affected by the state’s ongoing conflict.
“Students and their guardians are likely to encounter considerable risks while travelling through routes affected by tension and uncertainty,” ANSAM stated in the letter, stating that the security concerns have generated widespread anxiety among candidates whose academic future depends upon their successful participation in this highly competitive national examination.
Risky routes to Imphal
ANSAM’s appeal highlights the prevailing law-and-order situation in Manipur, where the ongoing conflict has created pockets of tension along major transportation corridors. The student body emphasized that candidates from Senapati and Tamenglong must navigate these uncertain routes to reach Imphal’s examination centres.
The association’s letter underscored a fundamental principle: “No student should be deprived of educational opportunity due to circumstances beyond his or her control.”
Four Demands
ANSAM has earnestly urged the government to implement immediate special arrangements, including adequate security deployment along travel routes and at examination centres, secured transportation facilities for students from affected districts, emergency response mechanisms to handle potential incidents, and all other necessary measures to ensure safe, secure, and unhindered participation.
“The right to education, equal access to competitive examinations and the safety of students must remain paramount considerations for any responsible government,” the association asserted.
Hopeful of Govt Response
The student body remains hopeful that the Government of Manipur will “act with urgency and responsibility to safeguard the academic aspirations and future of the students,” according to the letter.
With the NEET examination being one of India’s most competitive medical entrance tests, thousands of candidates from Manipur are preparing to compete for limited seats in medical colleges across the country. For students from Senapati and Tamenglong, the journey to Imphal represents not just a travel challenge but a potential barrier to their professional futures.
The same representation was also submitted to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, and Commissioner Education (S) Ningthoujam Geoffrey.
Security Request to DGP
Meanwhile, the Government of Manipur has formally requested the Director General of Police to provide adequate security for candidates and their guardians traveling from outlying districts to appear for the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled on June 21, 2026.
Joint Secretary Elangbam Sonia, under the Higher and Technical Education Department, sent the letter to the Director General of Police on Wednesday, marking a continuation of correspondence dated June 10, 2026. The government has urged that the matter be accorded top priority given the critical nature of the national medical entrance examination.
The directive specifically calls for security arrangements for candidates traveling from districts including Ukhrul, Senapati, Kamjong, Noney, Tamenglong, and Jiribam to examination centres in Imphal East and Imphal West, as well as for their return journey after the examination. The security deployment should be implemented in consultation with the concerned district administrations.
17 Examination Centres
The NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination will be conducted across 17 centres distributed among four districts: Imphal East with 2 centres, Imphal West with 12 centres, Churachandpur with 2 centres, and Chandel with 1 centre.
