Kohima, November 14: Delhi has decided not to intervene on the question of affiliation of schools in Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).

Yet, more than 3,660 students from four hill districts of Manipur are getting ready to appear for their High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations from Nagaland.

Nagaland School Education Minister Imkong L Imchen said Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has sent a letter to this effect, mentioning the Centre's inability to address the imbroglio between Nagaland and Manipur over the affiliation of schools to the NBSE.

"I have just received a letter from Arjun Singh stating that the matter should be resolved between the two States," Imchen said.

He added that the Union Minister's missive was in response to the State Government's repeated requests to either allow the schools of Manipur's four hills districts to obtain affiliation to the NBSE or create a separate board for them.

The Union Minister has asked the Nagaland Government to resolve the impasse with the Manipur Government.

The Minister said the matter would be discussed again in the Cabinet to chalk out the next course of action on the issue.

He also expressed surprise over the reply of the HRD Minister since the issue is serious in nature and involves the fate of the students.

The Nagaland Minister also mentioned that the matter of affiliation has not been officially discussed with the Manipur Government but through unofficial channels.

He, however, said the Neiphiu Rio Cabinet would decide whether to discuss the matter with its Manipur counterpart.

Even as the impasse on the issue continues, certain forces, like the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) and the State Congress unit, have expressed their scepticism.

The outfit has stated that the Nagas of Manipur were trying to hijack the Nagas of Nagaland while the Congress has accused the Government of taking a hasty decision without going into the nitty-gritty of the issue.

But the School Education Minister today said the students are being allowed to appear for their examinations in view of the situation in Manipur.

"This was a collective Cabinet decision, taken after examining all aspects," he said.

Without mentioning any party or group, he alleged that some people were trying to politicise the issue.

Over 3,660 Naga students from Manipur's hill districts have enrolled in various schools in and around Kohima and Dimapur.

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