Participants of the public dialogue on the present crisis of Manipur University held in Imphal on July 15. (NNN Photo)
Newmai News Network
Imphal | July 15
A public dialogue held today in Imphal demanded a judicial enquiry into the ongoing Manipur University impasse.
Since May 30, unrest has been going on in the Manipur University as the students demand the removal of Prof Adya Prasad Pandey, the Vice Chancellor of the varsity.
Today, a one-day public dialogue on ‘Present Crisis of Manipur University: Save Manipur University-Save Students’ jointly organized by Local Surrounding People of the Manipur University Canchipur (LSPOMUC), Social Youth Club Kakwa (SYC), and Sorokhaibam Leikai Youth Development Association (SYDA) was held at Kakwa Community Hall in Imphal.
It was attended by representatives of Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA), Manipur University Staffs Association (MUSA), Manipur University Students Union (MUSU), United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK), Joint Students Coordination Committee (JSCC), All Manipur College Teachers Association (AMCTA), former Vice Chancellor of Manipur University, Ng Bijoy, senior advocate Khaidem Mani and other student leaders.
Veteran politician O Joy and Prof L Sadananda were moderator and co-moderator respectively in the public discussion.
In the meeting, six resolutions were adopted, including opposition of instituting 'fact finding committee' by University Grants Commission which the participants of today's dialogue termed as “hogwash”. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has instituted a 'fact finding committee' headed by UGC joint secretary JK Tripathy to look into allegations of administration negligence and misuse of funds by the Vice Chancellor of Manipur University.
The participants of the dialogue demanded to have a judicial enquiry into the varsity impasse headed by a sitting or retired High Court judge. They also asked concerned authorities to "remove" the present Vice Chancellor during the enquiry period. While the enquiry is going on, an interim Vice Chancellor should be appointed so that academic activities in the varsity are not affected, they demanded.
Further, the public dialogue resolved to submit memorandums to the University Visitor, who is the President of India, the Ministry of Human Resource Development and other concerned authorities. The members also resolved to support the agitations and show “solidarity” to Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU), Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) and MUSA.
The dialogue then strongly condemned AP Pandey’s statement which accused the protesting students as anti-national.
Many representatives of political parties leaders such ex-MLA RK Anand, who is also the convenor of High Level Committee of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, CPI state secretary N Sotinkumar, CPI (M) state secretary Sarat Salam and representatives from PRAJA, MPP, PPF and AMMSO also attended the programme.
MUTA president I Tomba explained that the present volatile situation in the Manipur University is a threat to the student community. He informed that Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) resumed the agitation on May 30. Immediately, after students had started the agitation, MUTA requested Vice Chancellor Professor Adya Prasad Pandey to bring an amicable solution with the agitating student leaders. They asked Pandey to clarify the MUSU’s allegations against him. “Even after repeated requests, the VC remained mute and dumb, and which means, he is unwilling to solve the issue,” alleged Tomba.
