MU students protest against MHRD, seek immediate removal of VC, Police detain students
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 31 2018: North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) and Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) activists, along with students of Manipur University, students from Manipur and other States, as well as other organizations, held a massive protest demonstration before the office of Union HRD Ministry (MHRD), New Delhi over the Manipur University crisis.

A joint press release issued by KSA and NEFIS today explained that the protesting students demanded to meet the HRD Minister, Prakash Javadekar over the issue.

However, they were stopped from demonstrating outside the Ministry by the police.

The students were detained and taken to Parliament Street police station and are still in detention, it added.

Alleging that the action by the police corresponds with the apathetic nature of the Union Government in dealing with the crisis at Manipur University and its connivance with the VC in destroying the academic atmosphere of the university, KSA and NEFIS stated that it should be noted that the university students, students' union, teachers and staff have been agitating for more than two months now, demanding the removal of MU VC Professor.

Adya Prasad Pandey.

Despite the fact that the university has come to a standstill and future of common students has been left in the lurch due to prolongation of the crisis, the apathy of the Union HRD Ministry is evident here, said the statement and added that despite an inquiry being initiated against Pandey, he is still allowed to continue with his post.

A delegation of activists comprising of students from Manipur University along with NEFIS and KSA members were to submit a memorandum along with signatures of students, teachers and civil society members to the Ministry, it added.

Irregularities committed by Pandey include making arbitrary and illegal donations from university funds to ABVP and he has been guilty of not conducting meetings with Executive Council and Finance Council as stipulated by Manipur University rules.

Alleging that the VC brazenly violates MU Act, 2005 by neglecting court meetings, the associations claimed that he is also guilty of grave financial and administrative irregularities, including appointment to nonexistent posts and vindictive denial of promotion to a large number of teachers by making illegal changes in the dud process.

The students demanded the VC to be immediately sent on leave, until the_ inquiry is being conducted.

It should also be known that NEFIS and KSA had conducted a mass signature campaign in Manipur and in several other areas ofthe country regarding the issue and have resolved to intensify the movement in the coming days if their demands are not accepted by the Union HRD Ministry, it warned.

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