Manipur Deputy CM appeals varsity community to re-establish normalcy

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh on Sunday appealed to the university community to re-establish the normal academic atmosphere in Manipur University in the interest of the student community.

The Deputy CM was addressing a press conference at his office chamber in the state on Sunday. Several other Ministers attended the press conference.

The academic activities of the university have been severely affected since May 30 after Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) launched an indefinite shutdown demanding removal of Vice Chancellor Prof AP Pandey over allegations of financial and administrative irregularities. Manipur University Teachers Association and Manipur University Staff Association supported the agitation.

Joykumar said, as insisted by State Government, the HRD Ministry has taken up a positive step to end the ongoing impasse in the University by putting VC Pandey on leave for a month and appointing the senior-most Professor as VC (in-charge).

Stating that bringing normalcy in the university is important to facilitate the Fact Finding Committee to discharge their duties in a free and fair manner, he appealed to allow the committee to proceed with their activities.

Assuring that the government is ready to take up further steps, if the result of the committee is not satisfactory, he also appealed to All Tribal Students Union Manipur to reconsider their stand in the larger interest of the people and particularly the interest of more than 15,000 graduate students whose examination are yet to be declared in view of the ongoing impasse.