New dates will be announced soon, the NTA said in a statement released Saturday.
Live news updates on Manipur violence
“At the request of the state government of Manipur and in the wake of the public order situation, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – 2023 which was due to be held on 7th May (Sunday) was postponed only for the candidates who have centers of exam in Manipur until further notice,” reads the public notice issued by NTA with Senior Director (Exams) Sadhana Parashar as a signatory.
03:37
Violence in Manipur: over 1,000 flee the state and take refuge in Assam
According to sources, around 8,000 candidates were about to take the test from 22 centers in Manipur.
The source said the NEET exam centers were not damaged but the decision to postpone the exam was taken to ensure the safety of the students.
02:03
Violence in Manipur: Rail services halted in violence-stricken state until situation improves
“It is a pen and paper exam where the students have to travel to different exam centres. In the prevailing situation, it is not recommended to leave the house. Hopefully, NTA will announce an examination date for Manipur candidates as the situation becomes normal,” the source said.
Meanwhile, major student bodies in the northeast, including the North East Students’ Organization (Neso) and All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu), have appealed to the Manipur government to ensure the safety of students from other northeastern states who are studying in Manipur.
A significant number of students from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya are enrolled in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, Manipur University, Central Agricultural University, Imphal and some nursing institutions.
“Either the government of Manipur should provide them with security here in Manipur or send them safely back to their home states. The safety of the students should be the top priority,” Neso Sinam Prakash government adviser urged.
Aasu sent an urgent letter to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, requesting the safe return of Assam students and employees staying in Manipur.
“Until the situation becomes normal, the Assam government should take the initiative to bring our students back from Manipur. They are worried, feel insecure and uncertain. Their parents in Assam are equally concerned,” Aasu President (incumbent) Utpal Sarma and Secretary-General Sankar Jyoti Baruah said.
