People rally for varsity function

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, August 6, 2018: People across the state today took out rallied on the streets in different parts of demanding to reopen Manipur University which has been paralysed since May 30 as the varsity community has been demanding ouster of vice-chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey terming him as irresponsible administrator.

S. Tondang, a participant in a rally in Imphal East said, “We are against bandh, blockade and strikes. The Manipur University should be reopened immediately. The varsity VC in-charge should start functioning immediately. Save the life of students. The varsity issue should not be politicised.”

There has been pressure from various quarters for a solution to the varsity impasse.

The HRD ministry had constituted a Fact Finding Committee to conduct enquiry on the allegations made by the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) that ranges from administrative and financial irregularities. He was also alleged of using his chamber like a “night club” and of being provided with bullet proof car and ‘Y’ category security.

The Manipur government had also constituted a High Power Ministerial Team led by deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar including education minister Th. Radheshyam.

The ministerial team yesterday appealed the varsity community to reinstate normalcy in Manipur University.

The MUSU, Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) and the Manipur University Staffs’ Association (MUSA) had been refusing the step taken up by the HRD ministry saying that their demand was an independent enquiry committee. The varsity fraternity declined that the Fact Finding Committee is not an independent body.

 MUSU met chief minister Biren Singh yesterday following which an emergency meeting of the varsity community was held in the evening.

The meeting resolved to reaffirm the demand for reinstitution of an independent high power committee under the Commission of Enquiry Act 1952. It also resolved to appeal Prof. Vishwanath to assume the charge of vice-chancellor only if he could fulfil the preconditions placed before him by the varsity fraternity and only after the institution of an enquiry committee under the 1952 Act.

The meeting resolved to reiterate the demand for ouster of Pandey and resolved to launch indefinite hunger strike on August 10.