The fear of losing out on an academic semester because of the ongoing unrest in Manipur prompted Kuki-Zo students from Manipur University to stage a protest in Churachandpur, seeking an alternative arrangement at a place other than Imphal so that they can continue their studies without “thinking about their security”.

Around 60 students took part in the hour-long protest organised by the Joint Students’ Body (JSB), Lamka, in front of the Churachandpur College to draw the attention of the University Grants Commission and the central government to “secure” their future.

Most of the students were holding placards, one of which said “KUKI-ZOMI Student Career Matters”. They also raised slogans such as “no education, no hope”.

The JSB later submitted a one-page representation to Manipur governor Anusuiya Uikey through the Churachandpur deputy commissioner, seeking her intervention to fulfil their demands.

In the representation, the JSB stated the student community has become “one of the most affected” sections in the ongoing strife that has claimed at least 152 lives and displaced 60,000 from both the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities till now.

“While all students belonging to the Kuki-Zomi community have been forced to flee Imphal, the news that normal classes and examinations conitune in Imphal is deeply distressing and testifies to the discriminatory treatment tribals are being subjected to,” the representation said, seeking the governor’s intervention to ensure the future of students of higher education.

The students said classes resumed last month but neither Kuki-Zo students nor the staff are attending owing to security reasons.

Sources said the affected Kuki-Zo communities included around nine regular faculty members, 17 regular non-teaching staff, 18 contractual staffers, 76 PhD scholars and 285 PG students.

Manipur University, established in 1980, became a central university in 2005 and it has over 4,000 students.

This newspaper’s efforts to contact the university authorities proved futile.

Protesting Kuki-Zo students The Telegraph spoke to categorically stated they can’t go back to the university’s permanent campus in Imphal from where they were “thrown out” by the mob that entered the university on May 3 — the day clashes began between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

The students said they don’t feel secure anymore on the Imphal campus, they fear for their security and they want to pursue their studies at a place without thinking about their security.

“There is no way we can go back. We will be hunted down. The Meitei mobs were really targeting us on May 3.

“So we want our voice to be heard by the UGC, the central government, and the PMO to transfer us to any central university as soon as possible so that we don’t lose out on an academic semester,” a second semester student said.

He added: “If it is not possible to transfer us, the arrangement should be made to hold classes in existing colleges in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.

“We have already submitted a memorandum each to the UGC, Union education ministry, MHA and PMO with a plea to save our future.”