MUSU strike and JAC strike : Hot issues before the Govt
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: June 21 2018 -

One may not directly involve the State Government, but it sure must be enough to create a headache to the Government, now much more so with the Congress having already jumped into the fray and initiating it own course of investigation into the MU crisis.

True the BJP led State Government may not have much of a say in the internal affairs of Manipur University, but remember a good number of days have been lost since May 30, after MUSU launched its agitation demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor and this must surely concern the State Government.

Now with the Congress jumping into the fray and starting its own course of investigation, the situation cannot be comfortable for Chief Minister N Biren to say the least.

On the other hand, the cease work strike launched by the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO to demand the implementation of the 7th Pay recommendations is still in force and there is no indication that the stir would be called off anytime soon.

And significantly this is an issue which directly concerns the State Government. A good number of days lost and surely Manipur cannot afford this.

Likewise Manipur University too cannot afford the number of days lost due to the agitation launched by MUSU from May 30.

What is the way forward ? And more importantly, how will the BJP led Government try to play down the impact of the entry of the Congress in the MU crisis ?

True there is no immediate election to be held, but surely these are issues which will be used to highlight the ‘failure’ of the BJP led Government to tackle the issue effectively.

No immediate election but remember the two Parliamentary seats of Manipur will go to polls when elections to the Parliament is held sometime next year and surely the BJP led Government here would not want such a situation to prolong.

What is the way forward ? For MU, the State Government should immediately apprise the matter to the Centre and see what steps it takes up.

It may perhaps try to persuade the agitating students to sit down with the VC and thrash out the differences across the table, with perhaps the Governor overseeing the meeting.

As stated in this column earlier, students certainly cannot afford to lose precious time for education is all about excellence today with no room for mediocrity.

On the other hand, it will also take more than an attempt to convince the JAC to suspend or call off their agitation.

So far the JAC has refused to some and meet the Government and instead demanded that the warrant issued against some of its leaders must first be withdrawn.

This is an option that needs a serious study. If the Government really wants to talk with the JAC, then it makes sense that the warrants issued against some of its leaders must first be withdrawn.

No JAC leader would court arrest just to talk with the Government. Sit down and talk, this is the only way forward.

The flood may have receded, but the after effects are yet to come and as things stand, already 850 cases of skin infections have been detected and in such a case, the co-operation of all the Government employees becomes a must.

Any remedial steps taken up by the Government must not be allowed to go waste for want of man power. This is a point which should not be forgotten by anyone .