Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday interacted with five sponsored internally displaced students and their guardians at Lok Bhavan, Imphal.
The students have received full scholarships for free education up to Class 10, sponsored by the Information Technology Institute for the Tribes of India–Doon Sanskriti School in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Hailing from Moreh and Churachandpur and currently residing in various relief camps in Imphal, the students have been selected to receive free education, including food, lodging, uniforms, and other essential facilities.
Their travel expenses from Imphal to Dehradun will be fully borne by the Assam Rifles. Under the aegis of the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR South), the students were chosen from among those taking shelter in relief camps in Imphal.
While interacting with the children and their guardians, the Governor said that it is a remarkable opportunity. He encouraged them to make the best use of it by learning wholeheartedly and developing their talents to the fullest, and wished them success in their future endeavours.
He also praised the Assam Rifles for their ongoing efforts in supporting and nurturing internally displaced (IDP) students to help them realise their full potential.
The interaction programme was attended by IGAR (South) Maj. Gen. Gaurav Sharma and Commander of the 9 Sector Assam Rifles, Brig. Pratyush Kumar.
Due to the ongoing ethnic conflict, the Ministry of Education had previously reported that 14,763 school children were displaced across the state.
While a large majority of these students were eventually admitted to schools closer to their locations, thousands of families continue to reside in relief camps.
Official RTI data from the Manipur Home Department confirms that there are 58,881 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently living across 174 operational relief camps and prefabricated structures in the state.
Sponsored education programmes like this remain a vital part of the state’s ongoing efforts to manage the long-term impacts of the crisis.