MANIPUR UNIVERSITY IMPASSE CONTINUES

Guwahati, October 2, 2018:

Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) will hold talks with various student bodies later today. The move comes after talks failed with Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh. The meeting will decide on action plans for future.

Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh ordered to suspend police raid in the Manipur university campus. He assured that there will be no further raid in the campus. Biren holds home portfolio asked the DGP to lessen excessive deployment from the varsity complex.

It may be mentioned that the Manipur University impasse began on May 30. The Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA), the Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) and the Manipur University Student Union (MUSU) are demanding an enquiry into the alleged administrative and financial irregularities of the Manipur University under Vice Chancellor, Professor AP Pandey. The agitation was lifted after 85 days owing to the August 16 agreement.

However, the problems got renewed after the ‘midnight raid’ of the men’s hostel of Manipur University by security forces in the intervening night of September 20 and 21. The raid was conducted after Pro-Vice Chancellor of the university, K Yogindro Singh lodged a complaint at a police station in Imphal alleging that the students and teachers of the university “manhandled” him.

As many as 90 persons were picked up by the police in the incident. Many of the arrested persons are still in judicial custody.

It can be noted here that the All Manipur Student Union (AMSU), the Manipuri Student Federation (MSF), the Kangleipak Student Association (KSA), the SUK, the DESAM and the AIMS had imposed 48 hours recently, demanding the release of the arrested persons and also in protest against the raid.