TURA: The HSSLC Science and Commerce results 2014, declared by MBOSE on Monday, has brought to light the disastrous effect of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Garo Hills on the student community with none of the candidates appearing for the examination in the Science and Commerce streams finding their names in the Top Ten Merit list.
The final turn out of the results has come as a shocker for many who have blamed the poor results on the current deteriorating situation in the region in terms of power distribution, militancy, law and order and the frequent bandhs and agitations called by various NGOs regarding various issues.
The spurt in militant activities in Garo Hills in recent months have definitely played a major role in how the results have turned out as sources claimed that many students, especially in the militancy torn areas, were unable to give it their all due to constant stress and the fear of militant attack which have been a constant occurrence in almost all the five districts of Garo Hills.
Even the West Garo Hills district headquarters of Tura, which until the recent past had been free from militant activities, has seen its fair share of the action with militants targeting the town with grenades and crude bombs a couple of times and incidents of extortion being reported right from the heart of the town.
According to some people while militancy may have affected the student community to a certain extent the frequent bandhs and agitations called by NGOs and pressure groups to demand for various issues have also played a crucial role in determining the outcome of this year’s results for Garo Hills. With such agitations being called from time to time they felt that the students were deprived of the opportunity to attend classes on a regular basis.
Some sections of the people have also pointed fingers at the failure of law and order in the region for the poor result turnout. They pointed out that if law and order had been maintained in the Garo Hills districts the earlier mentioned problem of militancy could have been checked to a considerable extent and would not have reached the present state.
While all agreed that the three factors mentioned played some role in the determination of the HSSLC results the erratic service provided by the MeECL and its load shedding found the most takers who were all of the view that the results would have been different had the MeECL been able to provide some form of satisfactory service. They lambasted the Power department for complete failure in its functioning and putting the academic careers of the students at risk.
“The Garo Hills has never been a witness to such poor results. This has to be an all time low in the history of the region. The students cannot be exempted of all blame; however, the MeECL also should put in extra efforts to provide better service during examinations so that incidents like this are not repeated in the future,” a concerned parent said.