Bandh suspended, highway blockade on
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2018: The Joint Tribal Student Bodies, Manipur has decided to suspend the indefinite hill bandh however the blockade on National Highways - Jiribam-Imphal, Moreh-Imphal and Dimapur-Imphal will continue.

In a statement, the student body said that the overwhelming support extended by the tribal people to today's bandh in hill areas of Manipur is a clear indication of the tribal people's disapproval to the prolonged closure of Manipur University (MU) and the demand for removal of the Vice Chancellor Prof AP Pandey.

It is also a clear indication of the people's disapproval to the Government's handling of violence, it said and added that the Government must now listen to the people's voice and act accordingly.

Welcoming the decision to appoint a Pro-VC, the student body however denounced the decision of the all political parties meeting led by the Chief Minister that the VC of Manipur University (MU) "be asked to proceed on leave pending the proceedings of the Fact Finding Committee" .

Urging the political parties to reconsider their decision, the joint student bodies said that the many tasks and works pending in the university as a result of the prolonged closure must not overlooked.

To force or let the VC go on leave after the prolonged closure of MU will only lead to many problems in administration, admissions, declaration of results, examinations and other matters.

The student body also cautioned that the reservation policy in recruitment and admission will be followed according to guidelines in the absence of Prof AP Pandey.

Besides investigating the allegations of MUSU and MUTA against the VC, the Fact Finding Committee should also investigate into the origin and real cause of the agitation, said the student body underlining that there is the need to know if it is motivated by some vested interests either from within or outside the university.

The student body also reiterated its demand for the State Government and authorities concerned to take up genuine and effective efforts for the return of normalcy in the university while ensuring the safety and security of students, staff and properties in MU before it is too late.

Otherwise, tribal students will start to demand affiliation of colleges in the hills to a university other than MU, it warned.

The student body also came out against the failure of the State government and authorities concerned in taking up any action against the violent KSO activists who intimidated and assaulted peaceful protesters and student leaders on July 6 at Churachandpur and the perpetrators of the July 13 Moreh terror attack on innocent children and civilians.

The Chief Minister was also castigated for not condemning the gruesome July 13 Moreh terror attack by at least 10 heavily armed militants of the Kuki National Organisation/Kuki National Army (KNO/KNA), which is under Suspension of Operation with the Government.

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