GUWAHATI, Aug 22 - Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has assured the All Assam Manipuri Students� Union (AAMSU) of taking necessary measures to resolve the issue of barring Manipuri medium candidates in applying for competitive and job recruitment tests under the Government of Assam, stated a press release issued here.
Sarma gave this assurance when members of eight indigenous student and youth organisations of the State met him at his official residence on Friday.
Discussing the problems faced by Manipuri medium candidates in applying for government jobs in Assam, Sarma said that if necessary, Manipuri language will be included along with Assamese, Bengali and Bodo language in all job recruitment tests, including the Combined Competitive Examinations conducted by the APSC.
In its memorandum, the AAMSU stated that Manipuri language is spoken by around four lakh people in Assam since 1536 AD when Swargadeo Suhungmung entered into matrimonial alliance with the king of Manipur, Kabomba.
The Government of Assam recognised Manipuri language as a medium of instruction in 1956 in the primary level and up to class 10 in 1976. Manipuri language was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 1992. Besides, students are pursuing honours in Manipuri in graduation, post graduation and PhD at Manipur University, Imphal and Assam University, Silchar. At present, there are 154 Manipuri medium schools in Assam.
The memorandum stated that the future of the Manipuri students may be affected after some Assam government notifications issued recently stated that knowledge of Assamese or Bengali or Bodo languages has been made compulsory for APSC examinations, except for candidates from Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts.
The joint delegate team comprised the All Assam Manipuri Students� Union, All Dimasa Students� Union, All Moran Students� Union, All Assam Sonowal Kachari Students� Union, All Assam Deori Students� Union, All Adivasi Students� Association of Assam, All Assam Chutia Students� Union, All Assam Hajong Students� Union and Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Parishad.
