Guwahati, Aug. 21: The only minister representing the Chakma community in the Congress-led government of Mizoram, Budha Dhan Chakma, resigned today in protest against alleged denial of admission to four Chakma students in medical colleges though they have cleared National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Chakmas are minorities in Mizoram and nearly one lakh people of the community live in Mamit Lunglei and Lawngtlai districts in south and western parts of the state.

The minister of state for fisheries and sericulture, Chakma submitted his resignation to chief minister Lal Thanhawla this morning, weeks after the four students were denied admission in medical colleges for being non-Mizos.

"I fear that my presence in your ministry may create uneasiness to maintain glory of democracy of our state where all of us should feel at home under your dynamic leadership irrespective of caste, creed and religion," says the resignation letter.

Drashan Chakma, Nibir Chakma, Mini Chakma and Nibhir Tongchangya were allotted seats in the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sampurnanand Medical College in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Burdwan Medical College, West Bengal, and Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College Raipur, Chhattisgarh, respectively following their counselling on July 20. However, hours later they were denied seats by the Mizoram higher education department following pressure from the Mizo organisations.

The students stood fourth, ninth, 17th and 23rd respectively among 38 students from Mizoram who were called for counselling by the state's higher education department.

Counselling was done after they cleared NEET conducted by the CBSE for admission to medical colleges on May 7.

This prompted the All India Chakma Students' Union to launch protests, including a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The union termed the move "highly discriminatory and racial to the Chakmas, who are a minority in Mizoram".

Welcoming Chakma's resignation, president of the union Dilip Kanti Chakma said: "This is for the first time students from our community in the state got seats for medical courses. But unfortunately, they have been denied seats on racial ground. They paid Rs 5,000 as registration fee during counselling and were given payment receipts. How can the higher education department deny them seats now? The Chakmas of Mizoram are facing a very hard time because of racial discrimination against them by the state."

Mizoram's minister for higher and technical education R. Romawia refused comment. Sources said the government was reluctant to intervene because of pressure from the Mizo Students' Union.

"NEET 2017 was separately prepared by the CBSE for Mizoram students under Mizoram state quota seats. The 38 seats have been allotted by health and family welfare ministry under the central quota pool as Mizoram does not have a medical college," Chakma said.