MZP's demand for termination of PhD enrolment draws flak
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 30 2024:
A Mizoram apex students body's demand for termination of enrolment of a PhD scholar has drawn sharp criticism from various organisations in Manipur amid tension between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.
The Mizoram Student Association, Mizo Zirlai Pawl had written to the Registrar of Mizoram University demanding termination of enrolment of Teresa Ning-thoujam in PhD programme alleging she was involved in collection of funds for procuring "bullets" to "harm Kuki people in Manipur" .
The letter alleged Teresa had raised Rs 20,000 among Meitei students to purchase "bullets" .
Reacting sharply to the demand for termination of Teresa's PhD enrolment, Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) and Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup (SANULAL) have strongly condemned the Mizo Student Association and said such an action would invite similar severe response in Manipur.
The Mizo Student Association's accusation against Teresa is unfounded and it threatens the academic career of not only Teresa but also all other Manipuri students studying in Mizoram University, said MUSU and SANULAL.
The Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) claimed students of Manipur University belonging to the Kuki community are involved in gunfights and collection of funds to assist militants.
Many students of the Kuki community have written and propagated false propaganda and made up history which aims to divide Manipur.
MUSU has not taken up any harsh actions against students of the community purely to uphold the values of peace, respect for human life and academic excellence of Manipur University, said MUSU.
In case Teresa's PhD enrolment is terminated, MUSU will be forced to give a proportionate response, it said, advising the Mizo Student Association and the Mizoram University against harming the career of students from Manipur.
Condemning the Mizo Student Association, Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup (SANULAL) general secretary Akoijam Shanti urged the State Government to look into the matter and take up appropriate steps.
Any attempt to terminate the enrolment of the student by the Mizoram University will invite boycott of students from Mizoram studying in Manipur, she said.
She also urged the Chief Minister to "allow Teresa to continue her PhD programme online as is being done for some Kuki students at Manipur University" .
SANULAL is submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh regarding the matter, said Shanti.