Joint Tribal Student Bodies bat for VC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 10 2018: The Joint Tribal Student Bodies, Manipur comprising of Thadou Students' Association (TSA), Rongmei Naga Students' Organization (RNSO), Liangmai Naga Katimai Luangdi (LNKR) and Zomi Students' Federation, Delhi (ZSF-Delhi) has appealed to the Government and the authorities concerned to bring normalcy to Manipur University and to investigate the allegations levelled against the university VC Professor Adya Prasad Pandey by Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU).

A joint press release issued by the associations today explained that Manipur University, which is a Central university, has been paralysed since May 30 due to the agitation by MUSU with the support of Manipur University Teacher's Association (MUTA) over their demand for removal of the Vice-Chancellor.

It alleged that inspite of repeated requests from the Registrar and the VC of the university for adequate security arrangement for restoration of normalcy, the State Government, which is responsible for maintaining law and order situation, has not taken any effective measures till date.

All the 86 colleges and institutions in the State are affiliated to Manipur University with more than 20,000 Bachelor's students and 3000 above Master's students.

There are 100 examination centres under the university for thirty different courses.

Due to the current impasse created by MUSU volunteers inside the university, disrupting all administrative and academic affairs, the career of students are in great jeopardy, the joint student bodies alleged.

This is tantamount to assassination of students' career.

The agitation, as per the associations, is only counter productive.

Urging an immediate stop to the blame game, the associations also urged the agitating students' body to immediately withdraw it agitation to pave way for resumption of normal administrative and academic activities in the university.

It mentioned that the joint student bodies had earlier denounced the agitation on the ground that they are not convinced with the allegations against the VC as well as the reasons for his removal.

The allegations levelled by MUSU and MUTA that the varsity's VC is incompetent holds no ground, it claimed.

The joint student bodies claimed that Professor Adya Prasad Pandey is one of the most efficient and able VCs the university has ever had since its inception.

Professor Pandey is performing with a sense of responsibility and justice in all aspects of the functioning of the varsity in the larger interest of the student community, it claimed.

Regarding the allegation over the frequent tour of the VC outside the State, the associations believe that such official tours are not bad as long as they benefit the varsity.

The joint student bodies added that such tour may in fact be necessary given that the university is a Central university.

With respect to the Y-category security, the joint student bodies argued that the Government, after full assessment, felt that the VC deserves to be protected with a Y-category security due to threat perception and security reasons and as such he has been provided a bullet-proof vehicle.

The security protocol of frisking and checking where necessary should not have been a big issue, it added.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the negligence by the Government to solve the problem, it claimed that it seems like the State Government has not done its job to restore normalcy in the varsity and this suggests there is an ulterior motive behind the agitation.

University as a temple of learning should be equipped with peaceful environment that shapes the image of the society and it should be free from unhealthy politics, it added.

The Joint Tribal Student Bodies submitted a memorandum to the Union Human Resource Development Minister on July 7 urging immediate intervention to solve the problems in Manipur University.

Regarding MUSU's refusal despite repeated invitations from the Chief Minister for talks, the associations wondered why the CM has not taken up any effective actions till date.

The State Government talked about a free-bandh Manipur, but seems to be blind to the indefinite bandh in the university.

The career of thousands of students have been affected but there seems to be no end to the imbroglio, it added.

Pointing out that the joint student bodies have been holding a peaceful protest for immediate return of normalcy in the university, it urged the Government and the authorities concerned to take up adequate measures to ensure the safety and security of the students, staff and properties and to facilitate immediate resumption of normal activities in Manipur University.

It urged the authorities concerned to investigate into the allegations levelled by MUSU against the VC and also to investigate if there are any ulterior motive behind the agitation.

It also demanded the constitution of a high level independent inquiry commission to bring a permanent solution to the frequent problems in Manipur University and to take up appropriate actions against all those found guilty, be it the incumbent VC of his predecessors or any other.

It also urged the authorities not to remove the VC until the completion of.

the inquiries and unless he is found guilty of wrongdoings that befits his removal.

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