Manipur Varsity Row: Pandey moves HC against fact-finding committee students burn his effigies

Imphal, September 6 (PTI): Manipur University Vice Chancellor (VC) AP Pandey has filed a writ petition in the high court, challenging the institution of a two-member fact-finding committee by the HRD ministry to probe the allegations of irregularities levelled against him.   The VC, who joined office on September 1 following a month's leave, moved the court on Wednesday, demanding dissolution of the inquiry panel, his counsel said.   He has set up an office at his official residence as the students and teachers have refused to allow him to enter the central university's campus.   “Manipur High Court judge N Kotiswar has referred the plea to a larger bench comprising Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar as the issue involves public interests,” the counsel said, adding that the plea has not been admitted as yet.   After resuming office last week, Pandey had released a statement banning Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA).   He reasoned that the central university does not have provisions for employees' bodies. The ban sparked fresh protests at the university where academic activities had resumed on August 24 following the suspension of 85-day-long strike to press for Pandey's removal.   Before the agitation's suspension, the state government and the HRD ministry's representatives entered into an agreement on August 16 with the protesting bodies - Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU), MUTA and MUSA.   Pandey's counsel told media that the Manipur University was not party to the August 16 Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). “Two of the associations, who had signed the agreement, are not officially recognised bodies as per the provisions of Manipur University Act, 2005,” he claimed.   Meanwhile, MUSU members gathered at the entrance gate of the university in Canchipur area here and burned Pandey's effigies. Around 40 protesters also tried to storm the VC's official residence in Sanjenthong area, but the police thwarted their attempt.   MUSU Secretary Anish Singh said the students were compelled to take action as Pandey resumed office even when the probe into the allegations against him is pending.   MUSU president M Dayamand urged President Ram Nath Kovind to intervene in the matter and allow resumption of normal activities at the varsity.  

Police detain students in Imphal

  Newmai News Network Imphal | September 6   Scores of students have been detained by police today after they attempted to close down the “transit office” of Vice Chancellor of Prof AP Pandey at Sajenthong area in Imphal.   It is reported that the Vice Chancellor, as he could not properly carry out his official works in the Manipur University at Canchipur, has opened a “transit office” at the high security zone Sajenthong where the quarter of the Vice Chancellor is located.   It is not clear whether the detained students have been released or not. Reports said that more than 20 students have been picked up by the police after confrontation with the police. The students also burnt the effigies of the Vice Chancellor at Manipur University gate this afternoon. With this, impasse has returned to Manipur University after a few days calm.   As Vice Chancellor, Prof AP Pandey is adamant that he will not accept his leave extension, the students of Manipur University under the aegis of Manipur University Student Union (MUSU) are demanding that the Vice Chancellor should not be allowed to enter the varsity as long as the enquiry against him is going on.