Kumbi College row: Governing body chairman issues public clarification
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24 2026: Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Kumbi College, Chairman of its Governing Body, Moirangthem Mangi, a National Teacher Awardee, has issued a detailed statement to the public raising serious concerns over the functioning of the present governing body.

The clarification follows statements issued on February 24 and March 13, 2026 by AMSU Secretary General Salam Changkhonba, and another statement on March 9, 2026 by L Ibomcha Meetei, who identified himself as a member of the governing body.

Tracing the history of the institution, Mangi stated that Kumbi College was established on September 27, 1981 with the vision of creating a centre of higher education in the region.

He noted that the college was built through immense sacrifices by village elders, many of whom contributed beyond their means, though several of them have since passed away.

He said the college received temporary affiliation from Manipur University on June 30, 1987 and permanent affiliation on August 2, 1994, followed by recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) on November 21, 1995 .

Highlighting a major development, Mangi said that on December 19, 2006, Kumbi College, along with four other private colleges - Mangolnganbi College, Ningthoukhong; Royal Academy of Law, Oinam; Pravabati College, Mayang Imphal; and Naorem Birahari College, Khundrakpam�was sanctioned 17 posts each, including one Principal, 11 teaching staff and six nonteaching staff, with recurring grant-in-aid from the then State Government under former Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Despite persistent efforts by the colleges to be brought under the State Government, including discussions during a Cabinet meeting on January 4, 2022 under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the proposal could not be materialised, he added.

Mangi further stated that the college successfully underwent NAAC assessment in May 2022, which is now mandatory for higher education institutions across India.

He said that in recognition of this achievement, Kumbi College was the only institution in the State to receive an "Appreciation Certificate" during the Teachers' Day celebration held on September 5, 2022 at City Convention Centre, Imphal.

On governance, he said the present Governing Body was constituted on December 16, 2024 under the Manipur Education Code, 1982, with a tenure of three years ending on December 15, 2027 .

The body comprises ten members, including a donor (Chairman), two local educationists, two guardian representatives, two nominees from Manipur University, one Director's nominee, one teachers' representative and the Principal.

He clarified that as per rules, all governing body meetings and agendas require prior consent of the Chairman, and any proceedings conducted without such approval cannot be considered valid.

Mangi noted that during the tenure of the first and second governing bodies, recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff was carried out with strict adherence to the Manipur University Ordinance, the Manipur Education Code, 1982, and UGC Regulations.

The process involved identification of vacancies, proper advertisement, and selection through duly constituted committees, including written examinations, ensuring transparency and fairness.

However, he alleged that the current governing body has deviated from these established norms.

He claimed that several meetings were reportedly held despite directions from the High Court of Manipur restraining such proceedings.

He further stated that although around six meetings had been convened by the governing body he is part of, none had any agenda relating to recruitment of teaching or non-teaching staff.

In this regard, he termed the claim made in a press statement on March 9, 2026 - that recent appointments were made based on a governing body resolution - as "completely false".

Mangi also questioned the role of the three nominees representing Manipur University and the State Government in the governing body, asking why they remained silent despite being aware of alleged discrepancies.

He said that the nominees cannot deny involvement or claim ignorance now that the issue has escalated into a Statelevel controversy.

He added that had they discharged their duties with responsibility and integrity at the appropriate time, the present situation could have been avoided.

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