Mob violence at Manipur University
Date :: 22nd September, 2018

The Thadou Students’ Association, General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ) vehemently condemn the mob violence meted out to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Pro VC) by a group of agitators at Manipur University (MU) on 20th September, 2018. The mob allegedly threatened the Pro VC and Registrar (i/c) with the same fate meted out to Prof. Islamuddin, who was murdered inside the university in May, 2009. This alarming situation requires law enforcement agencies to step in and take effective measures.

The mob also made the Pro VC and Registrar (i/c) sign an apology letter under duress stating “apologies for my unpardonable act and solemnly affirmed not to repeat such act of misconduct and violation of the sanctity of the university in the future” on 20th September, 2018 at university campus.

We also condemn the desperate public campaign taken up by the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) and its constituent bodies. University, which should be free from politics, has unfortunately been seized as a political ground by the MPCC to strike back at its opponent.

It is not that such a crisis has not happened during the Congress regime in Manipur. It was during the Congress rule in 2016 the mass exodus of tribal students from MU happened due to systematic discrimination of tribal students in the university. The politics is still on. The blatant politicization of the unfortunate situation in MU at the cost of the students is very unfortunate. It is high time political parties stop interfering in the functioning and administration of the university.

If the real intention of Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) was to remove AP Pandey as the Vice-Chancellor as they always claimed, MUSU would have shunned agitation and confrontation against the Pro-VC and VC (i/c) Prof K. Yugindro Singh and Registrar (i/c) Shri Shyamkisho consequent upon the suspension of Prof. AP Pandey by the President of India through MHRD pending the investigation by the Two Men Independent Enquiry Committee.

We would like to question MUSU if the whole agenda of their agitation was to appoint a particular person to the post of the VC of the University? Being a student association, it would be prudent on the part of MUSU to focus on education rather than being too involved in the appointment of the VC?

Meanwhile, we would also like to appeal to all concerned civil societies to refrain from any activity that could vitiate the functioning of the university and be cautious about supporting mob agitations that could lead to mob violence.

It is pertinent to note that the state cabinet has recently passed an ordinance implementing the Manipur Mob Violence Control and Prohibition Bill, 2018 with immediate effect in view of the increasing rate of incidents of awarding instant punishment by mob without any fair trial.

One can never justify mob justice, and in a country with a working legal system, people cannot be allowed to take law into their own hands. Therefore, mob justice for removal of VC or anyone else is not acceptable and should not be encouraged or supported under any circumstances.

We would like to appeal the agitating students (MUSU) and staff of MU to stop trying to control the whole affairs of the university and allow law and order to prevail in the university in the best interest of the MU community.

Sd/-
Kamsanglen Singsit
Secretary, Information & Publicity
Thadou Students’ Association,
General Headquarters : Imphal, Manipur