IMPHAL, OCTOBER 12: After holding a sit-in demonstration, members of the Manipur University Tribal Students’ Union (MUTSU) are all set to stage a silent protest rally on Thursday at Imphal in Manipur demanding revocation of the resolution adopted by the Academic Council of the Manipur University regarding reservation of admission to the University.
On Tuesday last, MUTSU volunteers along with other tribal students staged a sit-in protest in front of Youth Hostel at Khuman Lampak in Imphal West district after leaving their dorms at Manipur University Canchipur campus.
There are around 900 Scheduled Tribe (ST) students studying in Manipur University, and most of them stay in hostels.
The MUTSU said the Academic Council of the varsity should follow and implement the Central Educational Institutions Reservation in Admission Amendment Act, 2012, as directed by the court.
Recently the Academic Council of the varsity decided to adopt the Central Educational Institutions Reservation in Admission Act 2006 for the current academic session. As per the Reservation Act, there would be 27% reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes, 17% for Scheduled Caste and 7.5 % for ST for the current academic session, which has evoked sharp reaction from ST students.
However the Manipur University Students Union has reportedly appealed to the students of the university to focus on studies and avoid untoward incidents.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister, O Ibobi had reportedly instructed the University authority to resolve the issue at the earliest.
Naga People’s Front Manipur State Unit has also announced that they would extend its support to the demand of the MUTSU on reservation policy at Manipur University.
The academic atmosphere in the University has been affected since the day some unidentified miscreants set ablaze five buildings within Manipur University campus at Canchipur in Imphal West district on October 3 night followed by the ongoing reservation crisis, sources said.
Manipur education minister pleads Union HRD minister
Manipur’s Education minister Dr Kh Ratan Kumar today urged the Union minister for Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar to find an immediate solution to the present crisis in the Manipur University which was under the purview of the Central Government so that a conducive atmosphere would be created for students to pursue their academic activities freely without any disturbance.
Dr Ratan Kumar met the Union Minister in his office chamber at Shastri Bhavan here this evening at 5.30 pm. Kumar also asked the Union minister to appoint a regular Vice Chancellor of Manipur University immediately. The Union Minister responded him to look into it within a week.
He informed Javadekar that the current situation was causing serious concern for law and order in Manipur. He stated, “The overall situation is such that education of the young students has been compromised and classes are yet to start at the Manipur University.”
“Due to the recent decision of the MU, a tribal students’ body has threatened to call blockade in the State if the resolution adopted by the Manipur University is not revoked within four days. Further, the Manipur University Tribal Students Union has asked the students not to write any assignments, test or class related activities until the University implements the Central Educational institutions Reservation in Admission Amendment Act, 2012,” he submitted.
