Imphal, May 06: Maintaining that the sit-in-protest staged within Manipur University campus on February 26 under the aegis of Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) was aimed at making MU campus a 'free zone', the MUSU has justified the protest sitting.

Speaking to reporters at its office this evening, MUSU president Phijam Dinesh Meitei alleged that there was undue interference from some powerful external forces while conducting entrance tests for MPhil and PhD courses in Manipur University.

The sanctity of MU was seriously threatened when many teachers were intimidated and summoned by different elements.

The sit-in-protest was an appeal to all those powerful external forces who were causing disturbances and impeding development work of MU.

The appeal by MUSU was justified and it should not be construed as a challenge to any body, clarified Dinesh.

Disclosing that there were several anomalies and undue pressure from some quarters asking for inclusion of some students in the selection lists and that some teachers should be included in selection tests and some others not.

Moreover some elements exerted strong pressure to allow admission of some candidates who were on waiting lists by increasing the number of seats for MPhil and PhD courses, he said.

Under such circumstances, MUSU was of the opinion that the student community and MUSU should not remain silent spectators, Dinesh conveyed.

If those individuals working in their own self interests in MU are given proper counselling and necessary punitive actions by leaders of powerful organisations, the truth and facts will become more clearer, he noted while claiming that MUSU has been making its best efforts to make MU campus a 'free zone'.

The MUSU president also took serious note of unreasonable disturbances, harassment, bandhs, strikes, class boycotts which have been producing adverse impacts to students and the tussle for contract and supply works in MU which resulted in the inability to purchase quality and standard equipment necessary for reserach works.

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