Sun Dec 08 09:38:23 UTC 2024: ## Manipur Violence Cripples Higher Education, Careers
**Imphal, December 8, 2024** – Prolonged violence and frequent internet shutdowns in Manipur are severely impacting the academic and career prospects of higher education students, educationists have warned. The ongoing conflict, marked by curfews and general strikes, has hampered access to online resources and deterred recruiters from visiting campuses for placement drives.
K.H. Johnson Singh, Head of the Computer Science and Engineering Department at NIT Manipur, reported a significant decline in recruitment drives since the violence began. While 70 students secured placements this year through online means, this is considerably lower than previous years, falling short of the expected 100 placements from around 50 companies.
The situation is similarly dire at Manipur University. Assistant Professor Natasha Elangbam highlighted the limited access to online resources for students, many of whom rely on mobile internet data. Curfews and strikes disrupt classes and hinder timely assignment completion. Career counselling services have also been severely affected, with limited access to information and difficulties in submitting resumes to national companies.
Sapam Joychandra, Director of SS Career Counselling, stated that the violence has led to a 90% reduction in their student guidance activities. Psychometric assessments, online mock tests, and other crucial career support tools are inaccessible due to internet disruptions.
The ongoing conflict between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-based Kuki-Zo groups, which began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, has claimed over 250 lives and displaced thousands since May 2024. The disruption to education and career opportunities adds another layer of hardship to the already devastating impact of the violence.
First Piper 