Pettigrew College remains closed
Source: Hueiyen News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, September 09 2015 : The only government-run college in the district William Pettigrew College has remained totally closed for consecutive six days as Students' Union Pettigrew College (SUPC) continued sit-in protest after shutting the whole college down since last week.

SUPC has demanded immediate removal of Principal Dr Ninghorla Zimik accusing her of being inefficient in running the administration and of failing to exercise transparency in utilizing funds meant for development of the institute.

"There is no question of backing off from the ongoing agitation until our demand for removal of the Principal is fulfilled," said SUPC General Secretary AS Tuishang while also demanding rectification of the Show Cause Notice served to him and Debate & Extension Secretary, Shangreipam Ningshen by the Principal on September 1 last.

Pettigrew College remains closed

The Show Cause Notice had mentioned that the Director, University & Hr Education, Manipur had directed the principal to initiate necessary action against the two student leaders for alleged unconstitutional activities under Article XVI (a) and (d) of the SUPC Constitution.

"As far as we the students know, there is no such Article beyond Article XIII and this must be rectified at any cost," Tuishang demanded. Since September 4 last, students of the college have suspended all classes and blocked entry of teachers into the institute and have been staging sit in protest at the main entrance.

Some students could be seen protesting behind a banner reading, "We the Students' Union Pettigrew College, demand immediate removal of Principal Dr Ninghorla Zimik for inefficiency in administration, non-transparency in utilizing UGC funds" .

Earlier in July, SUPC had served the Government an ultimatum for removing Dr.Zimik for allegedly failing to procure various teaching related aids and equipments accounting for 45.5lakhs under the XI Plan of UGC which had already lapsed.

In a talk with media persons at her office chamber recently, Dr Zimik has said that the XI Plan had been closed and new sanction under XII Plan of UGC was being awaited.

She told reporters that procurement of the various equipments could not be completed during the previous plan without any clear cut explanations.

"But I will procure all the required equipments even though the plan period had lapsed," she assured.

"The college administration has miserably failed to conduct regular lessons/classes for the students," said a student Worngamla Zimik while another student K Songamla said that majority of lecturers is continually absent but the Principal never looked into the problems.

Second year Biochemist student Somirin VR said their Chemistry teacher from Imphal rarely comes to the college and conducts some 5/6 classes in a whole year, adding that even the laboratory is devoid of any equipments except a few test tubes.

"Our Principal stays in Imphal and so she is not available here most time of the year, let alone solving the various difficulties being faced by her students," said a student Shimreingam before adding that even when she was available, she had no time for the students who tried to apprise her of the problems.

Third year student Lingsangmi said that she received a lump sum amount of Rs.1000 as Stipend for six months in 2013 and since then she never received any amount till today.

"Our Principal has no concern about students.

Whenever we approached her for studies-related surveys she has always refused to sanction finance," said third year Geography student Theirawon Jamang.

"While we are facing many difficulties due to absence of teachers here, our own Sociology lecturer is found teaching in other private colleges," said a Sociology Honours student.

"Isn't it a violation of norms?" she wondered.