Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 12
Nagaland University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) has decided to file fresh complaints against Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. K Kannan for various anomalies in Nagaland University, expecting justice for the corruption in the embattled institution.
Nagaland University teachers are lamenting that Nagas do not know ‘our own rights’ and the civil society and students are remaining silent. Top bureaucrats and politician’s interference is also jeopardizing the matter, it was stated.
The decision to go for a fresh fight against the unpopular VC Prof. Kannan has been taken against the backdrop of the CBI giving “clean chit” to Prof. K. Kannan and some of his subordinate officials in alleged corruption cases. The agitating teachers have in totality rejected the so-called findings of the CBI. Bias is alleged in the CBI’s report.
President of Central Executive Council of NUTA, Rosemary Dzuvichu disclosed that the teachers are having series of consultations with constitutional experts before filing a case in the court. This was made known in a press conference held today at the Kohima Press Club building.
NUTA questioned the CBI’s “probe” where the ‘preliminary investigation was sent back to the VC’ who was under investigation by the CBI, EOW Kolkata instead of the MHRD — the authority that forwarded the Visitor’s directive for the inquiry on NU’s corrupt officials. “This CBI report on corruption in NU is a travesty of justice and the NUTA will not hesitate to seek justice through legal intervention,” Dzuvichu said.
Letters were written to the Visitor of Nagaland University, the President of India, and the Director of CBI New Delhi. The letters stated that the NUTA questions the motive and action of the biased CBI team from CBI, EOW in Kolkata ‘who made a mockery of such serious Visitoral investigation.’
The teachers have demanded that the proposed meeting suggested by the Director of CBI, between the CBI team and the NUTA along with the Director of CBI to be held at the earliest.
NUTA reiterated the demand for a fresh CBI probe by high-ranking officers, not below the rank of SPs, at the earliest and that all university officers, including the VC should be sent on leave during the period of inquiry in the interest of free and unprejudiced inquiry. The letter also mentioned that appropriate inquiry also be immediately held in the case of entertainment and hospitality provided and availed during the last CBI inquiry in NU.
NUTA stated that the state government had constituted a cabinet sub-committee headed by Planning Minister TR Zeliang to probe into the alleged irregularities. The NPF has also submitted a fact-finding report that indicted the NU authorities.
NUTA ridicules VC’s media statements
NUTA slammed Professor Kannan’s statement “Nagas by choice” that appeared in a section of the Press. The vice chancellor destroyed the whole system in the university, during his reign as the head for the last four and half year, the teachers said. Kannan’s remarks outside the state such as ‘Nagas have no work culture’ and “Angamis are terrible tribe” are denounced.
Nagaland University teachers also refuted the vice chancellors’ press statement that he “had to spend valuable time and energy in correcting the universities.” This is not true as the VC spends most of his time outside Nagaland and has traveled maximum, the NUTA said. This trend was reduced to a significant level when the NUTA raised this issue at various forums and authorities.
Also, the fixed deposit of university funds which is lying with the VC’s in different banks in Kohima was also raised. The Piggery project at SASARD in Medziphema was also “lapsed” due to funds not being released by the VC, NUTA said.
NUTA on ‘hand written letter’
In a stunning disclosure, NUTA produced “hand written letter due to non-availability of electricity at Lumami, University head quarter.” In the letter, the VC claimed that the headquarters was fully computerized and facilities such as internet and two transformers have been installed. But the letter sent from the headquarters was hand-written, the NUTA said. NUTA also objected to the ‘hijacking’ of the post office and state bank that was earlier in Akuluto town. This development was claimed as achievements and developmental achievements in the VC’s report.
Another fact the NUTA disclosed was that the newly-established campus at Merima, does not have telephone facilities, fax or internet. The VC’s statement on SASARD campus, teachers that 80% of the teachers were not from Agri background is also denounced. The NUTA questioned “how come the man who calls himself as VC does not know the figures and background of the teachers where as the teachers are purely from Agri background.”
