Normal academic activities of the Manipur University was disrupted today as the Manipur University Tribal Students’ Union (MUTSU) staged a sit-in-protest at the waiting shed inside the university campus demanding immediate removal of the Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University from office on allegations of gross discriminations. A charter of demands was also circulated in this connection which contain demands for immediate functioning of ST Hostel scheduled to be opened from the academic session 2015-16, and adopting fair play and justice in admission procedures, especially in Ph.D courses and proper maintenance of reservation norms. The charter also contains the alleged discriminatory actions of the University against Dr Gaikhamsin, the Co-ordinator of the Centre for Human Rights and Duties Education as well as intentional harassment and mental torture, terming the actions as one which is carried out against a tribal employee by a biased and discriminatory University. Highlighting the possibility of developing communal tension and disharmony, the students’ body draws the attention of forward looking groups, civil society organizations and student s’ bodies including AMUCO, UCM, CCSK etc to rise to the occasion and exert pressure on all the institutions operating in the state including the state government to desist from indulging in any form of discriminations based on communal lines instead of taking out rallies and proclaiming that the people of Manipur are one and living in harmony since time immemorial while rampant discriminations are being carried out in the state. Appealing for support in the fight for justice, the statement added that the union will resort to all democratic options if corrective measures are not taken up in time and justice is not brought about at the earliest by sacking the present VC.
