IT News
Imphal, Sept. 4,
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) has expressed strong condemnation to the resumption of office by Manipur University Vice-chancellor, Adya Prasad Pandey on September 1, 2018, despite an inquiry pending against him.
The body demands AP Pandey’s resumption as VC be immediately declared as null and void by the MHRD.
NEFIS statement said that VC AP Pandey was sent on leave last month under huge pressure of MU community which demanded an inquiry against the irregularities committed by his office. However, despite the inquiry still pending, he has illegally resumed his office, it added.
NEFIS not only termed the occupation of VC office by Pandey as illegal, but also taken vindictive action against the MU community by banning teachers’ and staff associations.
NEFIS terms the action appalling and undemocratic and sees MHRD’s connivance with the V-C behind such a step.
“Clearly, the V-C is bent upon avenging himself for the concerted stand which MU community took against his illegal actions and instead of having a dialogue in a democratic manner with the MU community is bent on using the police to install a highly undemocratic surveillance system in the university. This is akin to a culprit himself giving directions for the alleged aim of restoring normalcy in the university”, the statement said.
NEFIS alleged that the VC AP Pandey is guilty of gross irregularities and corruption and it was due to the ongoing struggle that an inquiry against him was initiated and he was sent on leave.
NEFIS also slammed the attitude of both Union and State government over its attitude to the democratic movement against the VC.
“Even after sending the V-C on leave under huge pressure, the state government had resorted to brutal measures to curb the movement. A Students’ Union (MUSU) councilor was arrested by Manipur Police on 4th August. The arrest was followed by the dismantling of the dais which had been erected at the site where protests had been going on for more than 2 months. Also, it was alleged that facebook posts were taken down, which amounted to a massive crackdown on the movement of MU community”, the NEFIS statement said.
NEFIS blamed the state and central governments for trying to curb the democratic movements in general at the university and, therefore, have used the present occasion to subjugate the voices being raised against this aim.
NEFIS called upon the larger civil society to extend support to the struggle of MU community in order to reclaim the university for the people and especially for saving the future of public education in the state.