Owing to failure on the part of the Union Ministry of Education to appoint a regular Vice Chancellor or in-charge of Manipur University, various student bodies on Thursday resolved to launch intense forms of agitations.
“If the Union ministry concerned fails to address the demand on or before December 14, the student bodies will launch intensified forms of agitation from the next day,” the student bodies warned during a sit-in-protest staged inside the varsity campus.
The protest staged under the aegis of Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) was attended by leaders and representatives of various student bodies like All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF), Kangleipak Students Association (KSA), Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK), Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) and Apunba Ireipak-Ki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS).
While announcing the decision taken by the organisations, the student leaders strongly condemned the “irresponsible act” of the Union Ministry of Education for its failure to appoint the regular VC and make an interim arrangement for smooth functioning of the Central-run varsity.
Also read: Manipur University students begin stir demanding vice chancellor appointment
The varsity has been functioning without a responsible head since the court appointed administrator who discharged his duty as VC was relieved from office on November 30 last. The post of VC has been the issue since the removal of the then VC prof AP Pandey following a prolonged violent protest by students, teachers and non-teaching fraternities of the varsity in 2018. After his removal, the High Court of Manipur appointed former state chief secretary Jarnail Singh as administrator.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of today’s protest inside MU campus, MUSU president Moirangthem Bobby expressed disappointment as the Union ministry of Education failed to fill up the post of VC which has been lying vacant since December 1 last.
“We are demanding appointment of a regular VC or in-charge so that the function of the varsity carries on smoothly. However, the ministry remains mute till date,” he said. The student leader wondered why the ministry is not initiating any action to fill the vacant post of the VC even after 10 months.
The MUSU leader then said that the normal functioning of the varsity is totally paralysed in the absence of a responsible administrator. “Many official works, particularly matters related with students, have come to a standstill,” he also said. “Despite so many problems, the Union ministry is not taking up any concrete decision,” he added. The MUSU president further said that the “inaction” on the part of the Union ministry of Education clearly shows the Centre’s negligence to the varsity.
NNN
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