IMPHAL: The Deans of 5 Schools in Manipur University have claimed that they were not pressured by students or some other elements to resign from their post instead they resigned voluntarily on account of the crises of the University.
Manipur University Vice Chancellor Adya Prasad Panday on Sunday said he would not resign and refuted all allegations of misconduct levelled against him by students.
“I came to Manipur to serve the university and not to resign,” Pandey told reporters at his residence here.
The protestors claim that Vice Chancellor Adya Prasad Panday is incompetent, and conducts several ‘non-academic activities’ from his office.
The students’ union has been on strike since May 30, demanding removal of the vice-chancellor for alleged malpractices.
The varsity has been totally paralysed. The student body alleged that that Pandey is unpunctual at his office and use his chamber like a “night club”. He attends office hardly 10 days in a month and used university funds for frequent travel.
He has spent nearly Rs 8 crore on travelling, the union alleged. The union also alleged that statutory posts of registrar, controller of examinations, librarian and curator did not have permanent appointees.
Responding to allegations on his long absence from Manipur University university, the Vice Chancellor clarified that all his trips were for official duties or to pursue the interest of the university in New Delhi at the UGC, HRD ministry or other ministries.
The Clarification from the deans came after the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Adya Prasad Pamdey told media persons on sunday that the deans resigned due to pressure from some elements or individuals.
The university in the state has been non-functioning and come to a complete halt as the students union of the university demanded the ouster of the VC since 30th of last month.
Speaking to media persons inside university campus here at Imphal on Monday the deans stated that the movement of the Students demanding the ousting of VC has hindered the functionality of the University.
Not only the university but students of Colleges affiliated to the University are facing a lot of inconveniences as admission and result declaration process are all kept on halt.
The Deans said that they tried to speak with both the parties regarding the issues but went in vain and intimated that deans of the 5 schools namely School of Humanities, Life Science, Human & Environmental Science, Social Science and Mathematical & Physical Science resigned voluntarily as there is no point to stick to the post amidst the issue.
Manipur University Students Union on the other hand also claimed that the clarification made by the VC was a lie. He is trying to save himself and to blame the students. How can he say that he goes outside of the state to for 10 to 20 days in a row to meet UGC officials and central minister. The union is standing firm on the demand “the ouster of the VC or resigning on moral ground” and will continue to protest what so ever.
On the current imbroglio the university is facing former chief minister of the state Okram Ibobi Singh said that a report(of the university crisis) was earlier submitted by the Party’s High Level Committee to the relevant authority at the Centre. He was speaking to media persons at the Imphal International Airport on Monday morning before he and his Manipur Pradesh Congress Commttitee delegates left for Delhi to meet Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and other authorities.
The delegates will meet Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and other relevant authorities at the Centre to address the grievances of the people of Manipur on various issues especially the Indo-Naga Framework Agreement, crises at Manipur University and the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016.
Speaking to media persons Ibobi said that the MPCC Delegates will meet with the Union Human Resource Development Minister and urge him to probe the prevailing issue in the University and try to resolve it as soon as possible to bring normalcy in the Academic Atmosphere. He further said that if there is no option left to resolve the issues, the Delegates will urge for appointment of a new Vice- Chancellor for the University.
Ibobi further added that the delegates will question him (the Prime Minister) on the statement made by Interlocutor, R.N Ravi in connection with Framework Agreement with regards to formation of Autonomous Territorial Council on a National Daily, Indian Express. He also said, the Chairman of Joint Parliamentary Committee will be urged not to pass the Citizen Amendment Bill 2016 which is likely to be submitted by the end of this month, if it is going to harm the state.
On the other hand BJP Manipur Pradesh asserted that Chief Minister of the state Nongthombam Biren is giving all out efforts to resolve the crisis in the University. The party also expressed disappointment at the crises which has affected the academic atmosphere and career of students for almost a month.
Addressing media persons at BJP Manipur Pradesh Office in Nityapat Chuthek, Professor, S. Tiken spokesperson of the party said the congress party not to politicise the issues. He blamed the congress for not helping to resolve the issue amidst the State Government’s effort to the resolve the crises.
He said that congress can never malign the image of BJP led Govt with their baseless statements. Tiken also mocked congress instead of trying to show the BJP led Government in the bad light, it will be better for the Congress Party to contemplate on why they could not be in power after 15 years of rule in the State.
