Manipur Univ. crisis: Student bodies seek 'inquiry commission' from centre

Dimapur, July 1 (EMN): The Thadou Students’ Association, General Headquarters (TSA-GHQ), Siamsinpawlpi, General Headquarters (SSPP-GHQ), Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization, North East India (RNSO-NEI) and Liangmei Naga KatimaiRuangdi, Assam, Manipur & Nagaland (LNKR-AMN) in a press release issued on July 1 expressed shock and dismay over the current situation in Manipur University following protest by the Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) demanding the removal of the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey. The joint statement mentioned that the university has been facing serious problems every year since the last one decade and often prior to the commencement of new academic sessions. While members of the MUSU may have a right to protest over the appointment of the university's Vice-Chancellor, it would be prudent to think whether the protest to the extent of disrupting the whole affairs of the university, affecting the students' academic career and atmosphere, really is in the best interest of the students, the release cautioned. Further, the release stated that the allegations levelled by MUSU that the university's VC is incompetent holds no ground, and in fact, it contradicts the reality. It stated that Prof Pandey is one of the most efficient and able Vice-chancellors the university has ever had since its inception. In regard to the allegation over the frequent tour of the vice chancellor outside the state, the joint student body in the release stated that such official tours are not bad as long as they benefit the university. 'We understand that such tour may, in fact, be necessary given that the university is a central university. Moreover, the joint student body believes that such matter can be resolved between the vice chancellor and the student's union amicably. Demanding removal of the vice-chancellor to the extent of plunging the whole academic atmosphere and the administration into chaos, as it has unfolded, is not a solution, the release added.' In light of the frequent disruption of the university's academic and administrative activities, affecting the whole functioning of the university, the student bodies in the release suggested the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India to constitute an independent inquiry commission in order to settle the issues once and for all. Also, the joint student body appealed the agitating MUSU and Manipur University Teacher’s Association (MUTA) to shun their agitation in the larger interest of the students and the university.