MU vice-chancellor Pandey suspended

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 18, 2018: Ministry of human resource development, department of higher education has indefinitely suspended Manipur University vice-chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey

The ministry had on Monday suspended Pandey in an order issued by deputy secretary to the government of India Surat Singh.

The suspension order stated that due to a long-drawn agitation against Pandey, by the students and teachers in the Campus of the Manipur University, the University was in a state of turmoil.

The government of Manipur has informed that against Pandey has led to serious law and order problem and administrative crises in the state. With a view to resolve the impasse created by the agitating students and teachers association, an enquiry committee consisting of T. Nandakumar Singh, former acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya and Prof M.K. Choudhary, former vice -chancellor of Tezpur University was constituted, vide the ministry’s order on August 17, it added.

The agitation in the University temporarily ended on August 22 after a period of 85 days and the Manipur University started functioning the next day with Pandey proceeding on leave. Resuming of duties by Pandey has further deteriorated the atmosphere of the University, said the order.

The President of India in his capacity as Visitor of the Manipur University on consideration of material on record and taking into account volatile law and order situation in the Campus of the University and in exercise of powers conferred on him under provisions of Statute 13(1) of the Statutes of the Manipur University Act, 2005 read with Section 16 of the General Clause Act, 1897 is pleased to place Pandey, under suspension with immediate effect and till completion of the enquiry and action to be taken thereon in the interest of justice for free and fair enquiry or till further orders, said the order.

Manipur University students, teachers and staff have appreciated the ministry of human resource development for suspending vice-chancellor professor Pandey.

The varsity community has thanked the central government for taking up action against though late. It also thanked the Manipur government for its initiative in resulting to suspend the vice-chancellor. It also demanded to vacate him from his official quarter at Sanjenthong Imphal.

The varsity community also thanked those who supported the agitation demanding ouster of Pandey.

The Manipur University Students’ Union levelled litany of allegations against Pandey for financial and administrative irregularities. The varsity community demanded to ouster him.