N Biren Singh
Manipur CM N Biren Singh addressing the media. Image - Northeast Now

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday appealed to the striking Manipur University Students Union(MUSU), Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA), Manipur University Staffs’ Association (MUSA) and general public to call off the ongoing strike to help in restoring the academic atmosphere in the institution in the interest of students.

Biren’s appeal came after the Union Ministry of Human Resource Department Government of India granted Vice Chancellor Prof Adya Prasad Pandey of Manipur University a leave for a period of 30 days from Thursday.

Mentioning that there are certain limitations of the State Government to intervene in the MU crisis as it is a Central University, the Chief Minister stated, “We need to co-operate and follow the Acts, norms and rules laid down for the central university.” He appealed to the MU community to co-operate the fact-finding team so as to ensure that there would be no lapses during the inquiry.

Biren also expressed his profound gratitude to the HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar for listening to the grievances of the MUTA, MUSU and people of Manipur and for his intervention to resolve the two-month-long university crisis. MUSU, MUTA, MUSA had been demanding removal of Prof Pandey after MUSU launched indefinite total shutdown strike in the university since May 30,2018.

Under the present circumstances Prof W Vishwanath Singh, Department of Life Sciences being the senior-most professor of Manipur University shall perform the duties of the Vice Chancellor, Manipur University for a period of 30 days from August 2,2018, said Registrar in-charge Prof M Shyamkesho Singh of Manipur University in a press release on Thursday.

As authorized by the HRD Ministry on August 2,2018, Prof Pandey, VC of Manipur University has been granted a leave for a period of 30 days with effect from August 2, 2018.

As per the statute 2(6) of the Manipur University Act, 2005, the senior most Professor shall perform the duties of the Vice-Chancellor if the office of the Vice Chancellor becomes vacant, the release added.

Registrar in charge also sought cooperation from the respected members of MUSU,MUTA,MUSA, various Students Unions, General Public, Civil Societies at this juncture of time for Manipur University, to create an environment where the normal functioning of the University can be restored so that the issue of the University can be resolved.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]