Ministerial team says meeting successful, MUSU and MUTA say otherwise
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 21 2018: A meeting between a Ministerial team of the State Government led by Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar and MUSU and MUTA failed to bring any kind of agreement in connection with the ongoing 53 days long impasse at Manipur University demanding the immediate removal of AP Pandey as the Vice Chancellor.

Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar declined to give any comment in connection with their talk with MUTA and MUSU while coming out from MUSU office inside the university complex saying that he was in a hurry to hold other talks with various CSOs in connection with the Manipur Liquor Prohibition (Second Amendment) Bill 2018.However, Education Minister Th Radheshyam said that yesterday, they held a serious discussion on the Manipur University impasse during a Cabinet meeting and it was decided that the MLAs of the ruling party would meet the union leaders concerned to bring a solution to the issue as it concerns the career of the students of Manipur.

He continued that the State Government has been trying to bring a positive solution for the last many days and more than a 30 member team even went to the National capital and met the Union Home Minister and HRD Minister in connection with the university issue.

The Minister claimed that the Ministerial team's visit to Manipur University was to discuss ways for bringing an amicable solution with MUSU and MUTA, regarding the impasse at the university.

He further claimed that they had a fruitful discussion with the members of MUSU and a decision was also taken to form a special committee comprising of BJP, NPF, NPP and LJP members to go and pressure the Union Government in connection with MUSU, MUTA and MUSA demands for removal of AP Pandey and to ensure proper functioning of Manipur University at the earliest.

The Ministerial team included Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, Health Minister L Jayentakumar, CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam, Education Minister Th Radheshyam and PHED Minister L Dikho.

However, on the other hand, M Dayaman, president of MUSU alleged that the visit of the Ministerial team to Manipur University was just to assess the situation.

He claimed that at first, the Ministerial team asked them what they wanted despite knowing that the present issue of Manipur University had been raging on for more than 50 days now and it seemed like the Ministers were not even aware of the issue.

He continued that the Mi nisters told them that they (the Ministerial team) cannot do anything regarding the university issue but assured that they would pressure the authority concerned from their side.

Alleging that it was rather insensitive of the Ministerial team and it seemed like they came like just to study the situation to go to the National capital and place the report before the Union Government, Dayaman said that they (MUSU) do not want to highlight the meeting that took place today in the media as it will seem like taking political advantage of the situation.

He explained that BJP had accused the Congress party which had come to the university in connection with the issue a few days ago in the media.

Similarly the Congress party might also make several allegations in connection with the visit of the Ministerial team, he added.

Dayaman appealed to all concerned not to politicise the issue and appealed to all the parties to work whole heartedly to save the University and the career of the students.

On the other hand, spokespersons of MUTA, Professor N Nimai said that the Ministerial team had just come to console the agitating students of Manipur University and to appeal them to refrain from taking up protest and disturb the Manipur Legislative Monsoon Assembly session and also to relax their strike against conducting examinations.

Regarding these issues, no negotiations were brought with the Ministerial team and the associations as MUSA, MUTA and MUSA have reiterated that he Administration Block of Manipur university, Vice Chancellor and Registrar rooms will open only when AP Pandey is removed as there are lots of vital clues and evidences present in the said rooms in connection with the present allegations against the VC and the Registrar, he claimed.

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