The Manipur Chief Minister (CM) N Biren Singh reiterated that the State Government is open to holding dialogue with the representatives of Manipur University (MU) community to bring about a fruitful solution to the impasse going on in the varsity for a “considerably long time now”.
Speaking at the Surgical Strike Day Observation at Banquet Hall of the 1st Manipur Rifles Battalion in Imphal on Saturday, the CM said, “We all must join our hands together to bring about an amicable solution to the entire issue”.
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The academic atmosphere in Manipur University has been paralysed once again after the arrest and subsequent detention of seven students and six teachers during a raid at the university hostels in the intervening night of September 20 and 21 last even though the normal functioning of the university was resumed from August 23 last for some time after the signing of an Memorandum of Agreement on August 16 last.
It may be recalled that the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) launched indefinite shut-down from
May 30 last demanding removal of the now suspended Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Professor AP Pandey for his alleged “irregularities”.
The State Government had invited the Manipur University community for talks on Saturday but they turned it down for their “own best reasons”. In the meantime, the Government has decided to send another invitation for talks so that the three-month-long agitation comes to an end. N Biren Singh believes that the Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA), MUSU and Manipur University Staffs Association (MUSA) would heed to the earnest appeal of the Government to restore normalcy in the varsity campus.
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Appreciating the people of the State for their positive feedbacks and response during the bandh recently, he said Manipur is experiencing “positive change”. Mentioning the contribution of Manipuris in the nation-building process, he said that Manipur has produced two Lieutenant Generals in the Indian Army so far. There are around 300 Manipuri Army officers serving the nation, he added. He thanked the Army and paramilitary officials for extending their valuable help during natural calamities such as flood and landslides which keep occurring at regular interval in the State.
Highlighting that India believes in universal values of humanism and is a peace loving country, he said the world must remember that we are the founder members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). “India also believes in holding political dialogue with any country to bring about a solution to any vexed issue,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar who presided over the day’s function and the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General
KP Singh also spoke in the event which was attended by Cabinet ministers, Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP) Manipur, top Army officers and top civil and police officials.