Imphal: The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has withdrawn a question on the Manipur crisis from a recent recruitment examination following objections from a Meitei organisation that claimed the reference was misleading and defamatory.
The Meitei Heritage Society (MHS) said it received an email from APSC confirming that the question, which appeared in the Agricultural Development Officer examination on August 10, would not be considered for evaluation.
The organisation had raised concerns on Monday, arguing that the question failed to accurately reflect the role of Kuki-Chin militants and Kuki-Zo civil bodies in the ongoing conflict, and “maligned” the Meitei community.
“We appreciate the Commission’s prompt response and hope such instances do not recur,” said MHS functionary K. Deben.
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APSC Chairman Debaraj Upadhaya clarified that the question-setting process was handled by academics from various institutions and that the Commission had no prior access to the papers, which remain “locked” until exams are conducted.
“There is no politics involved and no mala fide intention. We are a neutral body,” he said.
The Manipur ethnic violence, which erupted in May 2023, has claimed at least 260 lives and displaced thousands, deepening divisions between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
