At the Manipur Civil Services Combined Competitive (M.P.S.C.) Examination 2005 (preliminary), visually impaired Sapam Jashobanta was disallowed from appearing, even though he was issued the admission card.

The 29-year-old candidate was given the examination centre: the L.M.S. Law College, Imphal. Sapam said: he was forced out from the examination hall as M.P.S.C. authorities could not provide him answer sheets in Braille, which authorities conducting the examination are supposed to provide for blind candidates.

Sapam, a master’s degree holder in history has also been doing research work on the subject. He filed a writ petition at the Guwahati High Court on February 1, 2006, praying for reservation in competitive examinations for disabled persons. A similar complaint was also made to the M.P.S.C on November 16, 2005.

Following this complaint, the All Manipur Students Union (A.M.S.U.) said that the result of the Manipur Civil Services Combined Competitive Examination 2005 (preliminary) should not be announced until and unless a special examination for disabled candidates was conducted and, state government made reservation for disabled people. The A.M.S.U. cited the example of Union Public Service Commission, that they had abided by the Disability Act, 1995, which allowed disabled people to appear in the civil services examination conducted by it.

Disabled people across the state too came out in support of Sapam and staged their protest against the incident. They called for justice to persons with disabilities.

Meanwhile, the M.P.S.C. secretary, Y Jugindro informed that the matter will be discussed and if possible a special examination for disabled candidates will be conducted by the commission.