Mizoram University students intensify agitation

Agitating students manning the gate of Pachhunga University College in Aizawl on Monday . (NNN Photo)
  Newmai News Network Aizawl| September 11   As the indefinite strike spearheaded by Mizoram University Students’ Council (MZUSC) demanding immediate appointment of regular Vice Chancellor entered sixth day today, the students intensified agitation by shutting down some colleges affiliated to Mizoram University apart from boycotting all academic and non-academic activities at the varsity.   MZUSC president Lalnunhlima told reporters today that two affiliated colleges, Pachhunga University College (PUC) and T Romana College in Aizawl remained closed on Monday boycotting all academic and non academic activities in protest against the delay in the appointment of regular VC for Mizoram University.  He said that students held picketing at the college campuses preventing teachers and non-teaching staffs from attending their respective offices.   All the colleges across the state affiliated to Mizoram University also show support to the agitation launched by the varsity students for immediate appointment of regular VC, he added.   Since September 6, the varsity students have been agitating while preventing teaching and non-teaching staff from entering the campus over their demand.   The agitating students also burnt a large poster of Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar during protest at the varsity campus on last Friday.   The students alleged that the absence of regular VC for a long time has not only severely affected administration but also adversely affected the overall academic functions.   Lalnunhlima rued that the university has been without a regular Vice Chancellor for almost two years, and the students have made repeated appeal to the Centre but to no avail.   Terming the Centre's indifference to the students' demand as an insult to the student community and the people of Mizoram as a whole, he said the Centre should take an effort for immediate appointment of regular VC for MZU if it considers Mizoram as a part of India.   Various student bodies such as Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizo Students’ Union (MSU), Aizawl City College Student Union (ACCSU) and Mizoram University Teachers Union (MIZUTA) also voiced their support for the ongoing agitation and strongly condemned the centre's laxity to pay heed to the students demand.   Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had last week urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to appoint the Vice Chancellor at the earliest to the lone varsity established in the mountainous state in 2001.   Lalthantluanga, a Professor of the Shillong-based North Eastern Hill University, was the last Vice Chancellor of Mizoram University. He retired in May last year.   Meanwhile, BJP Mizoram unit president Prof. JV Hluna accused Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla of being responsible for the delay in the appointment of VC.   In an interview with media, Hluna alleged that when a search committee proposed and selected three candidates for HRD ministry approval, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla intervened so that his personal choice of person could be appointed as VC.   “This is the reason for delay in the appointment of regular VC,” Hluna alleged and held the Chief Minister responsible for the fiasco.