A controversy has erupted in Assam over a question included in a recent Agricultural Development Officer (ADO) examination regarding the Manipur crisis, specifically concerning the absence of any mention of Kuki militants in the answer choices. The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) is facing scrutiny after the Manipur-based Meitei Heritage Society (MHS) raised concerns about the framing of the question, alleging it unfairly targets the Meitei community and ignores the role of Kuki-Chin militants and Kuki-Zo civil society organizations in the conflict.
The MHS, in a statement released on Monday, August 18, 2025, described the question as "mischievous" and intended to malign the Meitei community. They have urged the APSC to declare the question null and void to prevent its use in evaluation. The organization argues that the question presents a "one-sided portrayal" of the situation, which is inappropriate for a public service commission that should uphold fairness, impartiality, and integrity.
The MHS contends that the question and its answer key disregard publicly available reports from agencies like the NIA, CBI, and a Supreme Court-appointed committee, all of which highlight the involvement of Kuki groups. The society has submitted a formal representation to the APSC, which is currently under review by the examination committee. While expressing confidence in the commission, the MHS has reiterated its demand for a clarification acknowledging the alleged bias in the question and ensuring its exclusion from the evaluation process.
In response to the controversy, APSC Chairman Debaraj Upadhyaya stated that question papers are prepared by independent experts and remain sealed until the day of the exam. He said that the APSC has no involvement in setting the questions, emphasizing that they are created by subject experts and there is no political influence. The APSC has denied any mala fide intent in including the question.
The controversy comes amidst the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur, which has resulted in over 250 deaths since May 2023. Allegations have been made by Meitei civil society organizations that Kuki militants, some of whom are part of ceasefire agreements, are involved in the violence. The Kuki community has also accused the state police of bias.
The Assam Rifles, a central security force, has been accused of failing to prevent the infiltration of Kuki-Chin-Zo illegal immigrants and Kuki militants from Myanmar into Manipur. There have also been allegations from the Meitei community that the Assam Rifles has been providing firearms and cover to Kuki militants during attacks. The Assam Rifles were reported to have killed ten militants suspected to be from the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) in Manipur's Chandel district in May 2025.
The situation remains tense, with the Meitei community feeling that central forces are favoring the Kuki militants. This perception has been fueled by instances where state police have clashed with the Army and Assam Rifles when attempting to pursue Kuki militants. The APSC is now under pressure to address the concerns raised by the MHS and ensure that the question in question does not contribute to further division and distrust.
