21 students and six university teachers who were arrested in connection with Manipur University stalemate, were released from the judicial custody here on Tuesday evening, according to reports. Out of them, 9 students are from Manipur University.
The university teachers,students,relatives and well-wishers accorded warm welcome near the entrance gate of Sajiwa Central Jail in Imphal East district when they were finally released from the judicial custody.
Later a reception function was also organised jointly by six students bodies at Lamyanba Sanglen at palace compound in Imphal East district.
It may be mentioned that six university teachers and seven students of Manipur University were arrested after the police raid at University hostels in the intervening night of September 20 and 21 while the remaining students were arrested during the course of the agitation.
Tuesday’s development came after Manipur High Court appointed former state chief secretary Jarnail Singh as Administrator of the Manipur University to discharge the functions of the Vice Chancellor on October 11.
After assuming office the next day, Jarnail Singh, who had also served a joint secretary to the Prime Minister, met Manipur University community one after another besides meeting the former Pro-Vice Chancellor K Yugindro in Imphal on Monday.
During the meeting, Yugindro, who filed an FIR case against the agitators of the university reportedly agreed to withdraw the case on certain conditions.
Earlier in the day the state chief Minister N Biren Singh while speaking at schools’ sports meeting opening function in Imphal informed that the arrested teachers and students will be released soon.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government and the six agitating student organisations following a marathon meeting late last night.
Stating that the state government is a people oriented government, he said that the doors of the present government is always kept open for dialogues and talks to resolve any issue. He also expressed the hope that normalcy would return in Manipur University soon.
Manipur university – which had remained closed for almost three months in view of the total shutdown clamped by the Manipur University Students’ Union since May 30, demanding removal of Vice Chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey on charges of irregularities – resumed its normal activities from August 23 after a Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the Government on August 16.
However the University has been embroiled in fresh turmoil after the police raid on the boys’ hostels in the intervening night of September 20 and 21 following a complaint.