From Displacement to Medical School: How a Manipur Student Overcame Ethnic Violence to Achieve His MBBS Dream

Shitaljit Tongbram, 21, secured admission to Pragjyotishpur Medical College in Guwahati

Imphal/Guwahati:

On May 3, 2023, the day Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence erupted across Manipur, 21-year-old Shitaljit Tongbram walked to his grandmother's house in Churachandpur with just two t-shirts, believing the situation would normalize within hours.

"I planned to freshen up at grandma's house and possibly stay overnight. The NEET exam was only four days away on May 7. Despite growing tension, we weren't overly concerned as many people assured us things would settle down," Shitaljit told NDTV in Guwahati, where he arrived to begin his medical education after achieving 139th rank at the state level in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

The Churachandpur resident missed that year's exam due to the ethnic conflict. After receiving an unsatisfactory rank the following year, he decided to attempt NEET once more in 2025—a decision that ultimately succeeded.

Shitaljit explained that his medical college admission finally offered hope after that traumatic night over two years ago when his family fled Churachandpur, abandoning everything they owned.

"At my grandmother's house, we witnessed mobs burning nearby homes late at night. Her residence in Tengra Leikai was among the last in the area, and we realized they would soon reach us, so we prepared to escape. The attack began with someone throwing a petrol bomb at the gate. They also fired multiple rounds into the air from automatic weapons," Shitaljit recounted.

He described how they escaped through the back door to a neighbor's house where they sheltered until noon the next day. The neighbor belonged to the Gangte tribe (part of the larger Zomi community).

"They protected us in their home and prayed for our safety. The next day, we left and took refuge in a school. By evening, we decided to walk approximately 2 km to an army [Assam Rifles] camp. It was a thankfully uneventful journey. We stayed at the camp until May 9 before being transported to Imphal," he said, adding that while conditions were difficult, the army did their best to provide food and water for the increasing number of internally displaced people arriving at the camp.

On September 22, en route to Imphal airport to catch a flight to Guwahati for his MBBS admission, Shitaljit stopped at 'Books and Brains Library' to thank the staff for providing a safe and supportive study environment over the past two years.

Shitaljit's family of five—parents and two younger siblings—initially stayed at a relative's house in Imphal before relocating to a relief camp. He admitted struggling to focus on his studies given their circumstances.

"It was a period filled with confusion, fear, and uncertainty. I was also extremely angry. I couldn't remember anything I had studied previously," the student told NDTV.

The limited space and constant distractions at the relief camp hampered his NEET preparation, so he began searching for an alternative place to study. He discovered 'Books and Brains Library' in Imphal city, located 7 km from the relief camp, and borrowed a bicycle to commute there daily.

Shitaljit received free coaching from a local study center called COMET.

"Initially, they said I didn't qualify for free coaching since the scholarship application deadline had passed. When they learned we were displaced from Churachandpur by the violence, they offered free NEET coaching. Many people assisted me in small but significant ways. I'm eternally grateful to them," he shared.

His parents, formerly schoolteachers in Churachandpur who also ran a small private hostel for students, found teaching positions in Imphal but struggled with irregular pay. His father eventually rented and drove a battery rickshaw to support the family.

After receiving his NEET results, Shitaljit had options for an MBBS seat at Churachandpur Medical College, Nagaland Medical College, or Pragjyotishpur Medical College in Guwahati. He selected Guwahati, and his father accompanied him for the admission process.

"The admission process went smoothly, but classes won't begin until October 7, and hostel accommodation likely won't be available until October 5. Until then, I need temporary housing. My father will return to Imphal, but I can't accompany him due to the expensive airfare," Shitaljit explained, noting that friends, local clubs, and people from the library where he studied contributed funds for his journey.

"Despite experiencing setbacks, I ultimately received an opportunity. My message to Manipur's youth who may feel lost is to never surrender. I contemplated giving up numerous times, but persevered," Shitaljit told NDTV.

Before departing for Guwahati on September 22, Shitaljit visited 'Books and Brains Library' to express gratitude to the staff for providing a safe and encouraging study environment over the past two years.

Education officials have noted that across Manipur, students have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite challenging circumstances.

On Thursday, the Manipur government announced that 87 MBBS students from Churachandpur Medical College had begun their academic journey. While 21 students (19 from Churachandpur Medical College and two from Shija Academy of Health Sciences) started classes at the Churachandpur campus, 66 students commenced their studies at the Imphal campus in Kyamgei.

"This represents another step forward in strengthening healthcare and medical education in the state," the state government declared.

The valley-dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribes, who predominate in certain hill regions of Manipur, have been in conflict since May 2023 over issues including land rights and political representation. The violence has claimed over 260 lives and internally displaced nearly 50,000 people.