Manipur Violence: 14,763 Schoolchildren Displaced; Highest from Churachandpur District, Rajya Sabha Told

In the midst of the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, a total of 14,763 schoolchildren find themselves displaced, with the Churachandpur district bearing the brunt of this unfortunate situation. The district experienced the most severe consequences when riots erupted on May 3rd. According to the education ministry's briefing to the Rajya Sabha, a remarkable 93.5 percent of these displaced students have been successfully enrolled in the nearest suitable schools.

Responding to inquiries, Annapurna Devi, the Minister of State for Education, conveyed that based on information from the Manipur state government, 14,763 schoolchildren have been directly affected by the displacement in Manipur. To streamline the admission process for these displaced students, dedicated nodal officers have been appointed for each relief camp. The minister's written response highlighted that an impressive 93.5 percent of the displaced students have been accommodated in nearby schools, with no financial burden on their families.

Breaking down the data shared by the Minister of State, out of the twelve districts in Manipur that were impacted by the violence, Churachandpur recorded the highest number of displaced students, with 4,099 affected. This was followed by Kangpokpi (2,822), Bishnupur (2,063), Imphal East (2,053), Imphal West (1,342), and Kakching (1,044). Notably, certain districts have witnessed a partial reintegration of displaced students into schools, such as Ukhrul (68.9 percent), Kangpokpi (72.7 percent), Tengnoupal (95.9 percent), Churachandpur (98.4 percent), and Kakching (99.1 percent).

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has proactively issued guidelines to its education department, streamlining the admission process for displaced students from Manipur. This move has eased the transition for a significant number of students and their families who sought refuge in the national capital over the past couple of months.

Additionally, addressing the needs of higher education students, the Manipur government introduced the 'Chief Minister’s College Students Rehabilitation Scheme (CMCSRS) 2023' on July 7th. This progressive initiative enables displaced and affected undergraduate college students in the state to continue their education by facilitating transfers to different colleges. The scheme encompasses a total of 51 colleges, including 34 government-run and 17 aided institutions, starting from the 2023-24 academic session. Importantly, this scheme eliminates the admission fee for transferring students, making the transition smoother and more accessible for those impacted by the displacement.