Secretary AHSEC assures Kamalakhya to release necessary notification of not holding exam on 19 May

April 17: There has been a major uproar as regards conduct of HSLC and HS examinations in Assam on 19 May, the day when 11 persons lost their lives in police firing. The 11 language martyrs holds a special position in the hearts of the people. However, both SEBA and AHSEC released their respective exam schedule wherein it was specified that on 19 May, AHSEC would conduct the Modern Indian Languages (MIL) examination. Whereas, the Council also would be conducting the Computer Science & Applications exam for HS First Year Final students on 19 May. Similarly, SEBA too would conduct 3 language papers for HSLC students on 19 May.

This aspect led to a major uproar in Barak Valley. On 16 April, a number of socio-cultural organisations of the valley called for a 12-hour Barak Bandh on 26 April as against the decision of SEBA and AHSEC of conducting examinations on 19 May. Meanwhile, after the united protest, Silchar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy on that very day assured that he had a detailed talk on this issue with the state Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Dr. Roy informed that the Education Minister has assured not to hold any exam on 19 May. However, there was no official confirmation on the part of the state govt or SEBA/ AHSEC.

Meanwhile, on 17 April, North Karimganj MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha met with Dr. Ramesh Chutiya, Secretary of Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) in Guwahati. He was accompanied by Congress leader Sachin Sahoo. Taking to his Facebook page, Kamalakhya informed, “On meeting the Secretary of AHSEC, I raised the demand of not to hold any exam on 19 May. Following this, the Secretary of AHSEC discussed the matter with his departmental officials. He further informed us that a revised notification deferring the exam on 19 May will be issued on Monday (19 April, 2021).” However, Kamalakhya made no mention of the HSLC exam to be conducted by SEBA on the language martyr’s day.