Assam: AASU carries out protest across state over HSLC question paper leak

All Assam Student's Union on March 13 carried out a massive protest across the state following the frequent High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) exam paper leak.

The development comes after the Secondary Education Board of Assam (SEBA) cancelled the Science exam following reports claiming that the question paper was leaked on social media.

In Assam's Tinsukia district, the members of AASU also burnt an effigy of Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu along with the chairman of SEBA.

AASU also demanded Pegu's resignation and asked him to accept his failures at the earliest.

''SEBA is playing with the students of the state. Often such things are taking place in the state and that too under the nose of SEBA. You just imagine what trauma students are facing. Pegu should resign,'' said one of the protestors while speaking to the media.

''They (SEBA) can't even conduct an exam in a year. When students are coming to the centre to give exams, they are told that the exam has been cancelled. Each time condemning such incidents won't do. Proper action has to be taken against the SEBA and culprits,'' another protestor said.

In Morigaon, District Students' Union protested against the Assam government over the paper leak and shouted slogans.

Besides this in the Nagaon district, the scenario was similar as the students here in the district too protested against the state government and sought Pegu's resignation. 

Owing to reports of the question paper leak, SEBA announced the cancellation of the exam, and an investigation was initiated for the same. The new dates for the science HSLC exam have not yet been announced by the board.

The second day of the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly was rattled by protests by the opposition leaders, demanding answers from the ruling party.

Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika on March 13 said that the paper leak incident of the HSLC examination for Science subject is condemnable and proper action will be taken against the culprits involved in it.

Also read: Why Assam's school board SEBA repeatedly fails to prevent paper leaks