Imphal, August 14: The Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) began its cease-work strike from today demanding removal of the VC alleging that he was responsible for the decline of the university even as the VC appealed to the association to review its decision to go on strike.

In a statement today the MUTA said the malaise in the university is too chronic and systematic to be cured by minor cosmetic changes.

Any university worth its name must function as "a community of scholars" with autonomy and self governance as its essential hallmarks.

"Our only university must not be allowed to be ruined by campus intrigues of the king, kingmakers and their sycophants.

The VC is the kingpin of the university system.

It may be a moot point whether the king or the kingmakers actually take the university decisions and is, thus, responsible for the decline (or progress) of the university," the statement said.

Calling for a "preeminent attention" of the Government and the people of Manipur to the university the statement said the cardinal role of the university can be performed only if there is a leadership that has the ability, determination and vision to lead the university and through it the society.

The operation initiated by MUTA has far reaching implications for all sections of the society and it will be fruitful if there is understanding and support from the people of Manipur, the statement said.

Meanwhile the VC has made a fervent appeal to the teaching community to help in maintaining uninterrupted academic atmosphere at the MU.

The VC also appealed to MUTA to call off their cease-work strike.

The VC clarified that the financial constraints faced by the University and the State Government has affected the University's developmental activities.

The socio-political and law and order problems have also affected the implementation of the academic calendar of the University, he said in a release.

He expressed optimism that Government's assurance for provision of additional funds to the University will enable the authority to take up developmental programmes and improvement of the faculty like promotions, incentives to the faculty members soon.

He denied the charges against him as not true and added that in spite of financial hurdles the university is doing its best to further the academic achievements.

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