Newmai News Network Imphal | June 25 The impasse at Manipur University continues even as the teachers’ association of the varsity joined in the bandwagon demanding the resignation of Prof Adya Prasad Pandey, the Vice Chancellor of the varsity. The Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA, after holding an emergency meeting today, demanded that the Vice Chancellor resigns immediately from his position. After holding the “Emergency Executive Committee and Special Invitees meeting” of the Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) today the participants of the meeting “resolved to confirm the proceedings of the Executive Committee Meeting held on June 19 which reads, ‘Resolved unanimously that the present Vice Chancellor, Prof A P Pandey be requested to resign immediately from his position in the academic interest of the University.” The University teachers’ body, however, resolved that “the facts of the matter and justification on the allegations labeled against the Vice Chancellor and clarification thereof could be judged only by an independent ‘high level enquiry commission’”. Hence, MUTA demanded the constitution of a ‘high level enquiry commission immediately to look into the allegations of "financial and administrative irregularities" of the Vice Chancellor. The University teachers’ body also resolved to participate in the sit-in protest slated for tomorrow, June 26 at the Manipur University Gate. 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. Following the unrest, academic activities have been adversely affected since the beginning of this month. So far, six deans of the University have reportedly resigned. It is not known the precise reason of the resignations of the six deans. It has been speculated that the deans have resigned on separate occasions in the span of three weeks this month due to the ongoing impasse. The agitation for the removal of the Vice Chancellor has been going on under the aegis of Manipur University Student Union (MUSU). The MUSU alleged that there have been so many “irregularities” under the present Vice Chancellor. The students also accused the Vice Chancellor of taking frequent leave thereby affecting the University in many fronts. The students further accused the Vice Chancellor of incompetent to run the varsity. Since the students have locked the Administrative Block of the varsity nothing can be done now in the Manipur University. On June 22, the Centre had rushed a Joint Secretary from the Human Resource Development (HRD) to take stock of the situation regarding the Manipur University impasse. Girish Hosur who is a Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), in-charge of Higher Education came to Imphal after Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh had apprised the Manipur University situation to Prakash Javedkar, Union Minister for HRD. However, the official coming could not break any ice.
