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Agitating teachers, staff members, and students of Manipur University seen here during their hunger strike inside the campus on Saturday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Aug. 4 (EMN): The teachers, staffs, and students of Manipur University continued to stage relay hunger strike inside the university campus on Saturday after the police reportedly removed the temporary shed for holding relay hunger strike from the main gate of Manipur University in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, sources said.
On Friday, police also prevented a proposed ‘silent solidarity rally’ by political party leaders on the ground of imposing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPc in the district to prohibit any form of rallies or procession by the District Magistrate of Imphal West district.
It may be mentioned that the phase wise relay hunger strike was started from July 9, when the impasse in the University entered its 41st day.
The academic activities at the central university have been severely affected since May 30 after Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) launched indefinite shutdown demanding removal of Pandey who has been charged over 15 allegations of financial and administrative irregularities, including regular “unofficial” tours and violation of the university act.
The agitation was supported by Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staffs Association (MUSA).
Meanwhile granting leave for one-month to Vice Chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey of Manipur University amid demand for his removal over alleged financial and administrative irregularities evoked sharp reaction from MUTA and MUSA.
On Thursday, Registrar in charge of the Manipur University issued an order to grant leave for one month from August 2, 2018 to Prof Pandey as authorised by the HRD Ministry.
As per the statute 2(6) of the Manipur University Act, 2005, the senior most Professor shall perform the duties of the VC if the office of the VC becomes vacant, the order said.
Appreciating the move of the HRD ministry, Chief Minister M Biren had also appealed to the agitators to call off the strike in the interest of the students’ community.
