Manipur University row: MUTA agrees to sit for talks

The Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA)agreed to sit for talks to end a month-long agitation but only after their demands, including "unconditional release" of 15 teachers and students, are met.

It may be noted that, the students and teachers of the Manipur University were arrested on September 21.

According to reports a team of officers had raided the university hostel and the residential quarters and took the students and the teachers into custody based on a complaint filed by newly appointed Acting Vice Chancellor K Yugindro Singh.

MUTA also demanded withdrawal of the FIR lodged by Yugindro Singh and removal of all security forces from the university campus as a pre-condition for talks, it said in a statement Saturday night.

The teachers' association strongly condemned the action of security forces on September 21, but welcomed any move by an individual or organisation keen on bringing an end to the crisis which began from May 30 after Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) launched agitation for removal of now suspended Vice-chancellor Prof AP Pandey.

The MUTA statement followed the Friday letter of Chief Minister N Biren Singh to the university community asking them to sit for talks to bring about an amicable solution.