Modern College decries, stays away from election
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 22: Though elections to the student unions of different colleges in Imphal passed off by and large peacefully today, Modern College did not participate in the elections today to protest the abduction of its Principal and a teacher of the same college by some persons, who identified themselves as members of a student organisation yesterday evening.

Interestingly, the Manipuri Students' Federation, yesterday had announced a ban on holding the election of Modern College today it claimed that it was not involved in the abduction of the Principal and the teacher, while the Democratic Students' Association of Manipur today demanded an explanation why such a stricture was imposed.

CONTRASTING FACE : Staff and students of Modern College on dharna and a victorious candidate of another college being hailed

Following the abduction, unlike in other colleges, the election of the students' union of Modern college was not held today.

Instead, the students and teachers of the college jointly staged a Wakat Meepham demanding safe release of the abducted Principal and the teacher.

According to information received by the press, ahead of the election of the college students' union which was scheduled to be held today, a joint meeting of the teachers and the ROs was held in the office chamber of the Principal Th Nandababu yesterday.

After the meeting was over, the teachers were coming out to return to their respective houses at around 5.45 pm, when some persons who identified themselves as volunteers of a particular students' body took away Principal Th Nandababu and Head of Geography Department Dr Th Rajen who is also the RO of the college election on the pretext of having some talks.

To protest the abduction, the election of the college students' union has been postponed indefinitely.

The students and teachers of the college also staged a Wakat Meepham jointly from 10 am to 4 pm today demanding safe release of the abducted Principal and the teacher.

Talking to mediapersons, the teaching and non-teaching staff of the college who participated in the protest demonstration said that they would not participate in any matters related to the election of the college students' union until the release of the abducted Principal and the teacher and resolution of the matter.

Meanwhile, a statement jointly signed by the representatives of Modern College Students' Union has decried the abduction of the college Principal Th Nandababu and Head of Geography Department Dr Th Rajen by some persons who identified themselves as volunteers of a student organisation.

The joint statement said that disturbing academic calendar of the students and causing difficulties to the teachers is not in the interest of the student community.

So the abducted principal and the teacher should be set free at the earliest possible.

It may be recalled that here that Manipuri Students' Union (MSF) had earlier announced its decision of banning the election of students' union of Modern College on alleged charge of violating the laid down rules and regulations by the election committee of the college.

MSF, however, has clarified that it has no connection with the abduction of the college principal and the RO of Modern College.

As for the restriction imposed on holding the college election in Modern College, it would be lifted and the conduct of election allowed only after setting up of a new college election committee, secretary general of MSF Thokchom Bomcha said during a press conference at the office of the student body here today.

Reiterating that no candidate should be allowed to contest in the college election without fulfilling the laid down criteria, Bomcha demanded the teachers and the student candidates concerned of Modern College who were involved in manipulation of the rules and regulations to come out with an explanation to the public.

Specially, Bormani, teacher in Chemistry Department of the College who is the main accused, should come out with a clarification within three days, he added.