Remove SFs, appoint capable VC, registrar: DMU students
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 20 2024:
Demanding removal of security forces from Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) and appointment of a competent vice chancellor and registrar at the earliest, students of the university on Thursday tried to throng the Chief Minister's Bungalow in protest.
Around 10.30 am Thursday, the students took out a rally from DMU campus towards the CM's Bungalow, passing through Khoyathong and Nagamapal, before being intercepted by police at Ima Keithel.
After a brief stand-off, the students broke through the police barricade and continue with the rally via Kangla before being intercepted again near the Governor's residence, resulting in another stand-off.
Shortly after, around 22 students were selected to meet the chief minister.
Regarding the protest, one of the students said that the reason for the protest is the incompetency of the VC and registrar who are never present at the A-Block, their refusal to listen to the students' grievances and delay in conducting examinations, which, in turn, is affecting the academic career of the students.
Despite repeated requests and meetings with the authorities concerned in this regard, there has been no positive action or result.
On top of this, DMU is now included in the default list of UGC due to fault of the administration, which has posed a huge question mark on the future of the students.
The students are apprehensive of the validity of the certificate, leaving years of studies pointless, the student remarked.
Amid this unpredictable atmosphere, a large number of central forces have been stationed inside the university, which is unacceptable.
It is questionable why the central forces are being placed in educational institutions, the student stated and demanded the security forces be removed at the earliest.
The student further demanded conduct of the delayed examinations at the earliest, appointing a regular VC and a registrar, while removing the incumbent VC and registrar, who have failed to justify their positions.
In case the government is unable to do so, it would be best to dissolve the university, the student said, adding that the students are ready to be under Manipur University just like before.
Meanwhile, the 22 students who were taken to the CM's Bungalow to meet the chief minister, failed to meet the latter.
However, they met the secretary to CM Ningthoujam Geoffrey, who provided a written assurance of fulfilling the demands of the students.
On the matter of the central forces staying at DMU campus, the students were informed that the forces were unable to go to ISBT due to the recent floods.
Nonetheless, the secretary to CM assured that the forces would be shifted as soon as possible, the students later conveyed to the media.