<![CDATA[IMPHAL, February 19: A flying squad of the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur was pelted with stones at Thoubal district while returning after examination duty around 1pm today.
The Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination conducted by the state council commenced from today.
The officials later told media persons at the council`s office that a four member team along with a driver was returning in a Maruti Van bearing registration number MN-01-W-8132 with an "Examination Duty" sticker on its windshield after inspecting the two centres at Pallel and Komlathabi in Chandel district when their van came under attack between Waikhom Mani Girl College and Vision Creative Schools of Sciences, Thoubal Private Centre B along the Imphal Moreh Highway in Thoubal district.
The front windshield of the van was damaged during the attack.
Two students were earlier expelled from the Vision Creative Schools of Sciences, Thoubal Private Centre B by two different flying squads, and this might have enraged the tudents and their guardians resulting in the attack, said COHSEM chairmen H Naba.
An official said the van was approaching the two centres at Thoubal district along the national highway when they found the road congested with students, parents and others as the day`s examination had just got over, compelling their vehicle to slow down.
On seeing the van slowing down, a group of people started pelting stones at the van from all sides during which the front glass got damaged, he continued.
The students wore blue black pants and sky blue shirts and guardians were among the attackers, he said.
The incident is really unfortunate, said secretary COHSEM Sarangjit while adding that the council is trying its best to conduct the ongoing class XII examination in a free and fair manner for the welfare of the students and society.
He further appealed to all the local clubs, NGOs, parents, guardians and students` association to encourage and help the inspection teams for a free and fair examination.
Council chairmen H Naba said COHSEM condemns the attack on its officials who were on duty as part of a flying inspection team.
Altogether 42 flying inspection teams are on duty during the examination, he said while announcing that a team led by him had expelled a student after being caught using unfair means at Thoubal Private centre B Vision Creative Schools of Sciences. Another flying squad had expelled another student from the same centre today, he said.
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