Call for protest against crackdown on Students and Teachers at Manipur University
Date :: 22nd September, 2018 , Delhi

NEFIS GIVES ALL-INDIA CALL FOR PROTEST TOMORROW ALONG WITH OTHER PROGRESSIVE CITIZENS AGAINST THE BRUTAL CRACKDOWN ON STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AT MANIPUR UNIVERSITY!
NEFIS UNITS TO HOLD PROTEST IN DIFFERENT STATES ACROSS INDIA!
DENOUNCES FASCIST MANIPUR BJP GOVT FOR CONNIVING TO SUPPRESS JOINT STUDENT-TEACHER-STAFF MOVEMENT AGAINST CORRUPT V-C!
CALLS UPON CIVIL SOCIETY TO INTENSIFY STRUGGLE TO RECLAIM THE UNIVERSITY FOR THE PEOPLE!

North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) condemns in strongest terms the brutal crackdown on students and teachers of Manipur University, and the act of terror and violence perpetrated by Manipur police forces under the directives of BJP led government of N. Biren Singh. NEFIS also gives an All-India call against the crackdown tomorrow. NEFIS units would be holding protests in different cities across the country.

It should be known that Manipur Police personnel entered the university campus late on 21st September. The personnel barged into boys hostels, paraded male students and brutally assaulted them. Later, when teachers staying inside the campus sought to intervene, tear gas shells were fired upon them. At the time of writing of this press release, it was reported that 89 students and 6 teachers were under illegal detention.

Also, 55 students are reportedly missing since the raids in hostels last night. The extent of brutality can be guessed by the fact that tear gas shells and rubber bullets were fired at students inside the boys' hostel located in the campus. Even those brutally injured in the crackdown are being illegally detained and not being allowed to exit MU campus.

Members of the students’ union and those teachers and common students, who were in the forefront of 85 day long agitation demanding removal of V-C A.P. Pandey, were specifically targeted. It should also be noted that the V-C was sent on leave following the students’ steadfast agitation, before he forcefully resumed office in September. He was later forced to proceed on leave pending an inquiry against his irregularities.

However, the V-C had appointed Y Yugindro Singh as Pro V-C, who is reportedly close to him. The crackdown has been executed at his behest with the active support of Manipur govt.

Regarding the Manipur University (MU) issue, it should be noted that the university students, students’ union, teachers and karamcharis had been agitating since almost 3 months, demanding V-C’s replacement. They demanded his replacement for the irregularities committed by his office.

It should be noted that V-C’s office has committed many irregularities such as making arbitrary and illegal donations from university funds to student group, ABVP. He has been guilty of not conducting meetings with Executive Council and Finance Council as stipulated by Manipur University rules and brazenly violates MU Act, 2005 by neglecting court meetings.

He is also guilty of grave financial and administrative irregularities, including appointment to non-existent posts and vindictive denial of promotion to a large number of teachers by making illegal changes in the due process.

The crackdown comes amidst the state and Union BJP governments’ overt support to V-C Pandey. Earlier too, in August the state BJP govt brutally assaulted the students involved in the movement. After sending the V-C on leave under huge pressure, the state government had resorted to brutal measures to curb the movement.

A students’ union (MUSU) councilor was arrested by Manipur Police on 4th August. The arrest was followed by the dismantling of the dais which had been erected at the site where protests had been going on for more than 2 months.

NEFIS believes that educational spaces and university campuses should be a free space to engage in critical thought and dialogue. It strongly condemns strongly condemns the recent developments at MU which are connected with the governments’ resolve to curb the democratic movement at MU and stands in solidarity with MU community and resolves to continue its struggle even amidst crackdown.

NEFIS demands that all the students and teachers who are detained should be released unconditionally. The state government should take action against police officers and personnel who were involved in the raid and violence. It also demands that all security forces including Assam Rifles camp should be removed from Manipur University.

NEFIS also calls upon the larger civil society to extend support to the struggle in order to reclaim the university for the people and especially for saving the future of public education in the state.

Chinglen Khumukcham,
Convening Committee,
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS)