Hmar youth rises above ethnic violence to secure UPSC rank
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Guwahati:
Jerry Lalhratthang Buongpui
, a youth from the Hmar community from Manipur's Churachandpur district, achieved remarkable success in the UPSC exams, securing the 999th rank, despite facing immense challenges due to the ethnic conflict in his home state. Having left Manipur before the violence erupted in May 2023, Jerry stayed focused on his studies in Delhi and has not been able to return to his ancestral village, Rengkai, in the violence-affected Churachandpur district.
Though Jerry spent much of his childhood in Meghalaya due to his father's work, visiting his ancestral village in Manipur remains a distant dream. "Free movement still has not been possible in Manipur. Landing at Imphal Airport would be risky, and reaching Churachandpur from Aizawl Airport is a long and difficult journey," he said.
Jerry's family faced devastation during the violence, with his uncle's house near Imphal Airport being torched, forcing the family to relocate to Guwahati. His aunt's family also had to leave their belongings and move to Delhi during the turmoil.
"A peace building process should be initiated where leaders from all affected ethnic groups are invited and chalk out a solution which will be favourable for all. Consensus must be the foundation to bring about an effective and lasting peace," Jerry told TOI, on Tuesday.
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Jerry's academic journey began in Shillong, where he completed his education from matriculation to master's level, before moving to Delhi for UPSC coaching in 2020. Though he appeared for the Manipur Civil Service exams in 2023, the mains were cancelled due to the outbreak of ethnic conflict.
The Hmar Students' Association congratulated Jerry on his achievement, calling it a beacon of hope for the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar community.
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