Unruly scene at Lilong Exam Centre ; 5 candidates fainted, 3 cops injured
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 14 2014 :
Five students got fainted while two Sub-Inspectors and one VDF personnel were hurt after a violent standoff ensued over cheating during HSLC examination conducted by Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM) at Lilong Higher Secondary Madrasa in Thoubal district today.
At least three vehicles were also damaged after protestors attacked them with stones.
The incident happened at the exam centre shortly before the Mathematics exam was about to finish.
Strict action was taken against some students who were found cheating at the school by three teams of flying squad from Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM).
Initially, one girl student was caught red handed while cheating even after the warning bell was given.
She was prevented from further writing and then the Board officials prepared to expel her when the student suddenly fell unconscious.
The officials also caught another girl student for cheating and snatched the answer sheet from her.
She also got fainted.
Enraged, a group of students who were waiting outside the school campus attacked the flying squad teams, who were travelling in a Maruti van following which a violent standoff ensued between the two sides.
The van was damaged in the attack.
Another two cars parked inside the Madrasa campus were also smashed up by the irate students in protest of the action taken by the board officials.
The skirmish prompted personnel of Lilong Police Station, who were manning the exam centre, to fire several rounds of tear gas shells, mob bombs and even live bullets to control it.
Three students were also fainted during the police action.
They were taken to Rural Hospital, Lilong.
Two out of the three students were identified as Sofia (15) from Lilong Khunou and Kima (17) of Lilong Shambrukhong.
The two students�Bembem and Sonia-- who were fainted when the board officials caught them in the exam hall for using unfair means were later handed to their families after receiving first aid at Lilong Primary Health Centre.
Two Sub-Inspectors and one VDF personnel were also injured in the stone attack.
They were identified as Sub-Inspectors Lupajao and Yaiskul and VDF personnel Md Sakir Khan of Lilong police.
Meanwhile, the Joint Students' Coordination Committee (JSCC) condemned the incident that took place at the Lilong Higher Secondary Madrasa today.
The attack on the BOSEM officials by a group of protestors was unfortunate, said Th Premananda, convenor JSCC during a press meet held at the office of Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) here.
The two students were expelled by the board officials for cheating, he said, adding one of the students was copying answer from a Xerox copy and the other one was found writing by using pages from the book.
Premananda demanded that a police case should be registered in connection with the incident and book all the miscreants.
The State Government should not remain silent over the leakage of Physics question of class 12 exam conducted by CBSE on March 5, he said and demanded appropriate action against those involved in the incident.