Government Polytechnic Students demand immediate filling of Vacant Faculty Posts

The Students Union of Government Polytechnic, Fahynl, Imphal, has voiced strong grievances over the severe shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff at the state’s premier technical institute, urging immediate action from the authorities. The union’s General Secretary addressed media persons at the Manipur Press Club, highlighting the critical situation.
Established in 1956, Government Polytechnic was once a leading technical institute in Manipur. However, it has gradually deteriorated due to chronic staff shortages and infrastructural neglect. Out of a sanctioned 60 teaching posts, only 21 faculty members are currently handling four engineering departments and one pharmacy department. Similarly, only 18 percent of Grade III and IV staff are managing essential administrative work. Certain departments, including Mathematics, Physics, and Humanities, have no faculty members at all.
The General Secretary stated that the office of the Principal and the Controller of Technical Education has repeatedly requested the government to fill the vacant posts, but no action has been taken. The Students Union submitted an application in August 2025 seeking an appointment with the Hon’ble Governor, but receiving no response, they conducted a sit-in protest on August 28, which was widely covered by the media.
When the government did not respond, the Students Union locked the campus from September 9 to 15. During a peaceful protest on September 15, students alleged that they were brutally harassed by police personnel, resulting in injuries to several students and six being taken into custody.
On September 16, a representative of the Students Union met the Hon’ble Governor, who gave a patient hearing and assured prompt action. Subsequently, on September 19, a high-level meeting was held with the Governor, Chief Secretary, Commissioner HR & Technical Education, Controller Technical Education, and Principal of the Polytechnic, where directives were issued to immediately address the issues.
Despite these assurances, the union reports that the process of appointing guest lecturers has stalled, with concerned files allegedly pending in the Department of Personnel. The final examination notification, scheduled from November 18, 2025, poses a serious concern as students have not received classes in critical subjects, especially Mathematics, Physics, and Humanities.
The Students Union has now issued an ultimatum, urging the authorities to appoint guest lecturers by October 24, 2025. Failure to implement this will compel the students to boycott the upcoming examinations and resort to intensified forms of agitation.
The General Secretary emphasized that immediate action is crucial to prevent further disruption of academic activities and to restore the institute’s credibility as a leading technical education center in Manipur.