Imphal, Apr 9 (IANS): Manipur Education Minister Thokchom Radheshyam on Saturday assured that those responsible for leaking the Class 12 Physics question paper earlier this week will be punished, and sought the cooperation of all sections of the society, including the students' unions.

"I assure befitting punishment under the law to the involved persons, no matter how highly placed they are. We also seek cooperation from all sections to ensure that there is no repeat of it," the Minister said.

The Physics question paper for the Class 12 examination conducted by the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM) was allegedly leaked on social media prior to the exam on April 5.

Apart from police, the education department will also carry out its own investigation to punish those involved in it, the former IPS officer-turned-politician added.

Police said it has arrested 16 persons for allegedly posting the question paper online and they are being questioned about how they got hold of the paper.

However, students' organisation Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) said, "The mere arrest of the persons who uploaded and posted the same is not enough. The officials responsible for the leak should be booked."

According to police, question paper leaks is becoming a thriving business in the state.