Log in

There is already a constitutional breakdown in local governance - ATRPFM

A democratic government is by the people and for the people but where are the voices of the people gone? The genuine voices of the people shall be heard by the government of the people. ATRPFM has been demanding for conduct of election of ADC Chairman in respect of Churachandpur, but our peaceful voices were not heard. Are we demanding something not constitutional? Have we shown any personal or political bias in favour or against any political party or individual? We can proudly say that we don’t. We are purely a civil organisation for proper implementation and protection of the tribal rights. The Hon’ble Governor has written to the concerned Department for conduct of election at the earliest. The Hon’ble High Court of Manipur has also passed an order with a direction to conduct the election on 5th November, 2018 without fail of which the State Government ought to comply with in larger interest of the public and also for the ends of justice. Instead, the State Government has filed an appeal against the order, but on what ground? Where is the rule of law? Any election has to be conducted within a reasonable time, it could not hold on indefinitely. It is a constitutional breakdown and a very negative sign of governance.  
Tribal people have been demanding election of ADC Chairman, Churachandpur, the elected members have been also demanding the same for the last more than four months. But the State Government under the leadership of Shri. N. Biren is reluctant to conduct the same. What’s the intention behind? Is it not a political bias, a political game at the cost of thousands of tribal populace? It clearly indicates that governance under the present Government has absolutely failed as far as local governance in hill districts are concerned. No ADC has secured proper functioning under the present Government, there are numbers of court cases, and also camping for chairman posts. Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel, Churachandpur - all ADCs face court cases and camping for Chairman posts. Are ADCs for the development of hill people or for personal political game? What types of Governance is this? What types of leadership is this? Governance has failed, ADCs have failed, constitutional breakdown already there.
It is indeed a very shameful thing on the part of the State Government under the leadership of Shri, N. Biren Singh that a particular ADC who had switch his party from Congress to BJP with a hope that BJP would do something more than his own party has returned to his parent party. As the BJP has failed in all respects in functioning of ADCs, Shri. Ngamhao Touthang, an ADC member elected from 14-Tuibong DCC, Churachandpur has tendered his resignation from the BJP and has ultimately returned to the Congress Party. It is not a sign of good governance at all we are deeply concerned about hampering the functioning ADCs under the present Government. He resigned from BJP primarily for failure of conduct of election for Chairman of Churachandpur.
We support Shri. N. Biren led BJP government, we are supporting till date and we wanted to continue to support it. We have faith in BJP government but as of now we are deeply disappointed seeing all the negative developments.
We have been also demanding for implementation of Pension Scheme for Employees of ADCs but there is no positive response till date although rules for extending penionery penefits were already framed, re-framed and amended by the State Government itself. It is the government that framed the pension rules, how can the government question its own laws or rules?

We strongly urged the State Government to conduct election of ADC Chairman, Churachandpur at the earliest and we also demanded that pension scheme for employments of ADCs shall be implemented as mandated under relevant rules framed by the State Government which is clearly reflected in the State Budget from 2017-17 to 2018-19. We request government not to invite agitations, not to create law and order problems, and not to create constitutional breakdown. They talk peaceful co-existence between hills and plain, integrity, go to village, hill people’s day, communal harmony and equal developmental, we appreciate that but their action shows otherwise which is shameful and blatant lie. Peace can’t be force feed, it can only happen when the constitutional rights of the minorities and weaker section of the society are protected and respected. If the State Government fail to fulfill our demands and act in accordance with laws and practices, we will submit all the negatives side of the State Government against the tribal people in the upcoming International Samvaad-Tribal Conclave from 15-19 November which is to be held at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand where 10 countries are participating. Our team would leave Manipur for Jamshedpur on 14th November, 2018 for participating at the proposed Tribal Conclave so that our voices are reached to the Union Government and any eventualities would be that of the State Government. 
Yours
Jaojianlung Gangmei),
 Info&Pub. Secy, ATRPFM

  • 0

Memories of a Mayang


Dear Editor:

I am called a “mayang” but I feel I am a Manipuri & I love Manipur. Imphal is my home-town.
I have been the world over, but have never found a place so  beautiful as Manipur was in the Sixties.
I lived in Manipur for about 10 years.
In 1958, I found that the “Central Library” would lend books only to Govt. Servants.
I wrote a “Letter to the Editor” to the “Eastern Express” complaining of the above, as a result of which the library agreed to lend books to the public.
What was I doing in Manipur?   After migrating as Refugees from Pakistan after the Partition, my parents settled in Manipur.
I worked as a Lecturer in a college in Imphal for 5 years.
In the college, I had the privilege of having some wonderful friends, including:
1.     Prof. Damodar Singh, a most noble person
2.    Prof. Budharanjan, a very close and affectionate friend
3.    Prof. Th. Tombi Singh, my closest friend.
4.    Prof. Gaur Gopal, a very sweet friend
5.    Prof. S.P. Chatterjee, a most sincere friend, who remained my companion during my stay London
6.    Prof. Sanamacha Sarma - A very close friend

7.    Prof. Ibopishak, a most friendly person
8.    Prof Mani Singh - who was most helpful
9.    Prof. Khomei Singh
10.    Prof. Janab Khan
11.    Many others.
In my time, the Manipuris were the most friendly and fun-loving people.  I hope they have not changed.
Only one person was utterly cruel to me.   Let us call her Kh. J.L. of Singjemei Mathak.
She jilted me after encouraging me for several weeks.  She broke my heart.
At that time there was a Statistics Office in Sinjemei Mathak across the road from her home.  The members of that office were very, very helpful
during that most difficult time.
Some of my friends have passed away.
To all of the above who are still around, I wish every happiness and a wonderful Diwali.
I also wish a very Happy Diwali to all Manipuris.

Yours
J Kochar

  • 0
Punia enters World Championship semifinals Three other Indians fade away early

Punia enters World Championship semifinals Three other Indians fade away early

From a correspondent
New Delhi, Oct. 22

Jakarta Asian Games gold medallist Bajrang Punia beat Tulga Tumur Ochir of Mongolia 5-3 to enter the Freestyle 65 kg semifinals on the second day of the World Wrestling Championships at the Papp László Sportaréna in Budapest today.
In a thrilling quarterfinal, the Indian held upper hand until the last minute, leading 4-1. But Punia conceded to his Mongolian opponent three crucial points, including one for the neutral position and two for the takedown within 40-odd seconds, almost stopping the Indian’s progress.  
But luckily, Punia held his nerves and even thwarted a challenge by the Mongolian in the last second, thus earning an additional point for the CWG gold medallist. “I am happy I was able to keep my cool in the last few seconds to see this through. I am confident and I also knew that the challenge cannot go against me,” said a relieved Punia, who led 3-1 at the end of the first period,” said the grappler from Budapest over phone.
The Indian will take on in the semifinals, later tonight, Alejandro Enrique Valdes Tobier of Cuba.
Coach Jagminder was equally happy to see the grappler enter the semifinals. “I am happy for Bajrang. He is an experienced player and did well throughout the bout but I am particularly happy that he could keep cool and win it despite the match being very close,” said the National Men’s Freestyle Coach.
Earlier, Punia defeated Roman Asharin 9-4 in the first round and beat Korean Lee Seungchul 4-0 in a bout which saw both grapplers trading cautiously. After having earned three points in the first period, Punia added just one more in the second even as the Korean was concentrating more on his defence.
In other bouts of the day, Sandeep Tomar scored an excellent first-round win over his Guatemala opponent Jose Mox Arias with a score of 10-0, six of his points coming in the second period. He, however, lost the second round to Azerbaijan’s Giorgi Edisherashvili 2-2—his opponent was declared winner because of a warning which the Indian received in the first period.
Sachin Rathi lost his first round 92 kg category bout to the strong Mongolian wrestler, Unurbat Purevjav, 13-1, the latter outclassing the Indian in the second period. On the other hand, Deepak, who received a first-round bye, lost the second-round bout to Liubomyr Sagaliuk of Ukraine 4-0.

  • 0

Davinder Singh ruled out for the season; Joyner Lourenco brought in as replacement

From a Correspondent
Mumbai, Oct 18,

Mumbai City FC defender Davinder Singh has suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the remainder of the season. The 23-year old will undergo surgery on his knee later this month and will continue his rehabilitation with the club.
The young defender signed for The Islanders last season and was handed his debut in an away fixture against Kerala Blasters. He went on to make a total of 8 league appearances in the 2017-18 season and showed incredible promise, following which he signed a two-year extension to his contract with the club.
All of us at Mumbai City FC wish Davinder a swift recovery and hope that he returns to the football pitch soon, doing what he does best. The Islanders, meanwhile, have brought in 27-year old defender Joyner Lourenco who joins The Islanders until the end of the season. The Goan full back will replace Davinder in Mumbai City FC’s squad for the 2018-19 season of the Hero ISL.
Joyner began his footballing career barely into his teens when he signed for his local club, Goa Velha and went on to play for the u-15, u-16 and the u-19 sides of Dempo FC.
Taking the next step in his career, Joyner switched sides and joined Sporting Clube de Goa as a 19 year old in 2010. Making an immediate impact, his side won the u-19 I League in his first year at the club – a tournament in which he went out in the semifinals previously with Dempo.
Joyner went on to play for Sporting for a total of seven seasons, and finished as a runner-up in the 2013-14 Federation Cup. His strong performances for Sporting earned him a call up to the Indian u-23 National Team for the 2014 Asian Games in the final 20-man squad. He went on to make two appearances in the tournament wearing the Blue of India.
Following his stint with Sporting, Joyner was picked by fellow ISL side Bengaluru FC in the 2017 ISL Draft. He represented them four times in their AFC Cup campaign, finished as the runner-up of the ISL and won the Hero Super Cup.
The Islanders will play their third game of the 2018-19 Hero Indian Super League, the Maharashtra Derby, on October 19 against rivals FC Pune City at the Mumbai Football Arena.

  • 0

Another first for India wrestling: U-15 girls to take plunge in Asian Juniors  

From a Correspondent
New Delhi, Oct, 18

 Indian wrestling will score yet another first with the Under-15 girls entry in the Asian Junior Wrestling Championships in Fuji-Mi, Japan.Wrestling Federation of India has named a 10-member junior girl squad for the event, scheduled for November 16, 2018.
This is the first time ever that an under-15 Indian wrestling squad will be competing in an Asian-level competition. This was in tune with the Wrestling Federation of India’s ‘Catch ‘em Young’ policy to encourage young wrestlers and identify future talents. All the 10 girls named for the Fuji-Mi event are the top performers in their respective categories at the Under-15 Nationals, held in Meerut earlier this year.
Wrestling Federation President, Brij Bhushan Saran, talking on the importance of such Junior Tournaments said: ”Wrestling fraternity is committed to identify and support the next generation of champions. It is important to identify potential junior talent and give them right exposures abroad. India’s participation in the Under-15 Asian Championship is one of our numerous initiatives to realise that goal.”
“The Asian Juniors will give our wrestlers a competitive field to test their skills,” he further added. 
The squad for the maiden Asian event for junior girls comprises eight girls from Haryana, while the other two wrestlers come from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Squad: 1.Pooja Rani (33kg), 2. Komal (36Kg), 3. Pinki (39Kg), 4. Sweety (42kg), 5.Antim (46kg), 6. Priyanshi Prajapat (50Kg), 7. Pratibha Janghu (54Kg), 8. Bhagyashree (58kg), 9. Sittu (62Kg) and 10. Sunita (66kg).

  • 0

An open letter by two social activists regarding ST demand to The United Naga Council, The Zomi Council and The Hmar Inpui

Dear Friends,

    With reference to your representation to Shri Jaswanthsinh Bhabor, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affair, Government of India, regarding inclusion of the Meetei in the list of scheduled Tribe, we, on behalf of Pan Meetei Convention would like to say the following —
    We may begin, by stating in a nutshellthat the Meetei are a people made of seven clans or SALAI TARET – Khuman, Luwang, Mangang, Angom, Moirang, Kha-nganba and Salang-Leishangthem. According to Meetei mythology the seven SALAI are the seven sons of Pakhangba, the son of God, ATIYA MARU SIDABA. Accordingly the seven sons became the progenitors of the seven clans or the Salai Taret, who formed the Meetei some thousands of years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
    After the independence, when a list of different tribal groups, who happened to be indigenous people, was prepared by the concerned authority of the Indian government to enlist them in the scheduled tribe list of the Indian Constitution, all the indigenous groups of the Northeast were included except maybe the indigenous Meetei people. The reason was, the Meeteiwere Hindu converts and the then Meitei leaders claimed that the Meetei were the descendants of Brabubahon son of Arjuna of the Pandava of the Hindu epic the Mahabharatta. That was a travesty of the fact of Meetei being Hindu converts.
    Since 2012, STDCM (Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur), on behalf of the Meitei people has asked the Government of India to rectify the wrong that it had committed against the Meetei people by leaving them out of the ST list six decades ago. Now the STDCM demands to put the indigenous Meitei people in its rightful place in the list of scheduled tribe of the Constitution, without further delay. The demand is genuine by all measures.
    Now, coming to your apprehension that is clearly reflected in your representation to the Union Minister, quote, “until and unless proper Constitutional protection with special administrative provisions specifically and exclusively for the currently recognized 34 hill tribes of Manipur are put in place and their implementation without any outside interference a mandatory requirement, the Meitei ST demand should not be further entertained so as to avoid a disoriented, highly volatile and destructive state of relationship and existence between the hill tribes and the Meitei/Meetei”.
    In this connection, we would like to say that we genuinely appreciate your concern and apprehensions. And we can assure you of our full cooperation with you to fight to protect your interests in matters of your fair share in the state government job, education and land, because we do not mean any ill will against any of our neighbors.
    
We believe that the state can also make relevant laws in matters of job and education by the state assembly as it is done in the neighbouring state of Nagaland. Perhaps,together we may ask the state to make specific land laws to protect both the hill and the valley people.
    The truth is Meetei people need to have a level playing field in the national level. And we want to protect the little area of the valley of 700 square miles which is the only natural habitat of the Meitei people on this planet.     For ages we have been living together. We had our good times and bad times as well that we had experienced together. The past is our shared history. We truly believe we can always find a way out that will take care of your apprehensions. We hope, we can sit together and sort out the differences as good neighbours.
    We expect a positive response from your end.
Thanking you

Yours most sincerely
Heigrujam Nabashyam
President

Hijam Rajen
General Secretary

  • 1

Lakshya Sen wins silver at Youth Olympics Emulates Pronnoy as India adds a badminton medal after 8 years

From a correspondent
New Delhi, Oct. 13,

India’s Lakshya Sen settled for the silver medal after he went down to China’s Li Shifeng 15-21, 19-21 in the men’s singles badminton final at Youth Olympics Games in Buenos Aires late last night. The final lasted for 42 minutes.
Thus, the rising badminton star and World Junior No 3, Sen became the second Indian only after H.S. Prannoy who achieved the honour eight years ago in Singapore.
The former junior World No. 1 Sen, who won a dramatic semifinal against Japanese Kodai Naraoka the previous evening, could not repeat his performance against the Chinese who maintained a good lead from the beginning to wrap up the first game in mere 17 minutes.  
The Indian found it difficult to cope with the pace of the Chinese who not only sent down withering smashes but also the clever use of drop shots to keep Sen engaged. Li, who hit a nice tempo in the opening act, marked by pinpoint clears to the deep with constricting net game brooked little challenge from Sen. However, the fourth seeded Indian, playing a better game, matched his rival’s stroke for stroke and kept within reach just after the midway of the second game, only to lose steam despite holding four match points. The Chinese, handling the crunch situation pushed for the win without dropping a game.
Sen admitting to his early mistakes gave full credit to his Chinese rival. “He was very good and won the crucial points. I couldn’t push myself tough I managed to prolong the inevitable,” said Sen after his final. “But I am happy to be the second Indian to bring back a medal in badminton from such an elite championship,” he added.  
It was a sort of a revenge for the Chinese whom the Indian had beaten in the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships earlier this year.   
Congratulating on his silver-medal performance, BAI President Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Lakshya (Sen) is a world class prospect and I would like to congratulate him on his medal winning performance at the Youth Olympics. I was particularly happy with the way he fought his way back in the semifinals and can certainly say that World Badminton has a new rising star in him”, said the BAI Chief. He showed tremendous character and fighting spirit and this surely is not the end of it,” he further added.  
Ajay K Singhana, Secretary General of BAI, too complimented the reigning Asian Junior Champion. “You did us all proud. On behalf of the entire BAI I congratulate you on your medal win as you add the seventh medal to the list of wins at the 2018 Youth Olympics,” he said, in his congratulatory message to Lakshya.
Lakshya, next plays the Word Juniors in Markham (Canada) from November 5 to 18 and is a part of the 24-member Indian squad.

  • 0

Bajrang, first Indian to get UWW World Championship seeding; World Championship scheduled from October 20-28 in Budapest, Hungary

From a correspondent
New Delhi, Oct. 11,

One of India’s most consistent performers in the recent times, Bajrang Punia becomes the first Indian to feature in the top seeds of World Wrestling Championships to be held in Budapest, Hungary, from October 20 to 28. He is seeded third in his weight category of 65 kg class of the Freestyle event.
He is accorded the pride of place with 45 points in the ranking list released by the United World Wrestling, the parent body of wrestling. The world body has introduced the seeding system for the first time ever for the World Championship, utilizing the pre-championship performance ranking points to determine the competitive seeds. This follows the new ranking series that was announced during the 2017 World Championships in Paris. Previously, wrestlers were pulled into the brackets via a random draw of lots.
Turkey’s Selahattin Kilicsallayan is the top seed (50 points) in the 65 kg class weight category while Ilias Bekbulatov from Russia and the Indian grappler are positioned second and third respectively and Haji Aliyev from Azerbaijan is stationed fourth in the seeding list. Bajrang has been training for the last fortnight at the Mátraháza Olympic Training Center in Mátraháza, Hungary. He had reached Hungary before other team members arrived on October 10.
Understandably, Punia felt elated getting picked for seeding but he wants to match his performance according to the position accorded.  
“I had come here early to get acclimatized to conditions and am fully focused. I hope I can live up to everybody’s expectations and return home with a gold medal,” said the CWG Gold Coast Medalist, Punia.
The 2018 Asian Games Gold medalist had won a bronze at the 2013 World Championship and now aims to change the colour of the medal at the elite world event and wants to end the year on a high.
About Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)
The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is the Governing Body for Wrestling in India recognized by Ministry of Sports, Govt. of India as National Sports Federation. WFI is registered under the Societies Act and affiliated to Indian Olympic Association and International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles [FILA]. WFI was formed in 1960 and Wrestling federations of all States/Union Territories are its Member Associations. WFI along with its State affiliates are entrusted to organize National Championships for all categories of Wrestling, players apart from Zonal, Inter State Championships and All India Ranking Tournaments in India. WFI also conducts various International Tournaments along with the various grassroot initiatives. WFI through its commercial partners Sporty Solutionz initiates a historic partnership with Tata Motors who come on board as a Principal Sponsor for the Sport till 2021.

  • 0

Indian players overall gainers in the 4th edition of the Vodafone Premier Badminton League; 43 Indian players will participate this season

From a Correspondent  
New Delhi, Oct, 11,

 The 4th edition of the Vodafone Premier Badminton League saw a sizeable jump in the overall earnings for Indian players compared to the last three seasons as the world’s most competitive badminton league is all set to see the 40 Indians in action among the 67 that participated in the auction pool earlier on Monday.
HS Prannoy, the most consistent player in PBL was elevated to a “Icon Status” for the first time, this season; his base prize in Season 3 was INR 30 lakh and he had fetched INR 62 lakhs, the highest in previous season. The World No 15 this year however has earned a whooping INR 80 lakh due to his marquee status and most teams bidding for him.
“I am extremely happy that PBL had promoted me to the Icon Category and I am thankful to my team, Delhi Dashers for picking me for the forthcoming season. PBL has always been a happy hunting ground and I will continue to give my best and help my team stay in contention till the end,” said the 2018 Asian Champion medallist who will be donning the Dalmia Cements Group owned Delhi Dashers colours this season.
Rising doubles star, Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy also witnessed a meteoric leap in his earnings since the first season of PBL. The quarterfinalist of this year’s World Championship, Satwik not only had a dream run throughout this season but also played a crucial role play alongside 2016 Rio Olympic Gold Medalist, Carolina Marin for the Hunters to lift the trophy last year. His opening bid value of INR 15 lakhs this season was almost quadrupled by Padmanabh Sports Pvt Ltd owned Ahmedabad Smash Masters, who went all guns blazing amidst fierce bidding to acquire his services for a staggering figure of INR 52 lakhs. Shedding light on their decision to splurge on the youngster, Padmanabh Sports Pvt Ltd Ahmedabad Smash Masters owner Mr.Ashish Shah said, “Satwik is a utility player who can play both men’s and mixed doubles and is an extremely energetic team member. We are confident he will be an asset for the team on and off court. He has been in great form this season and will be an integral cog of the team ecosystem heading into PBL 4.”
2018 Commonwealth bronze medal winner and experienced doubles player, Ashwini Ponnappa was yet another Indian to break the bank after she was bought by the Awadhe Warriors for a hefty amount of INR 32 lakhs, a steep increase from the INR 20 lakhs, her base price buy last season.
Coming up the ranks fast, young and promising Lakshya Sen who also threw in the hat for the first time at the PBL auctions attracted interest from the franchises.  However, the reigning Junior Asian Champion was eventually picked for a lucrative INR 11 lakhs, more than double his base price of INR 5 lakhs by the Taapsee Pannu owned debutant Pune franchise, Pune7Aces.
The list of key Indian gainers also includes, 2018 Swiss Open Champion Sameer Verma who was bought by Mumbai Rocket once again for INR 42 lakhs, fetching him more than double his base price of INR 15 lakh. His elder brother, Sourabh Verma too saw a jump in his base price as he was sold to Ahmedabad Smash Masters for INR 16 lakh.
Manu Atri (INR 18 Lakh-Mumbai Rockets); Chirag Shetty (INR14 Lakh- Pune7Aces) Sikki Reddy (INR 29 Lakh-Ahmedabad Smash Masters)MR Arjun (INR 5 lakh- Awadhe Warriors)- the doubles specialists saw a sizeable jump in their earnings this season.  
The auction has not just been beneficial in springboarding the Indian players, but strategic buying by some of the teams have also allowed them to save up from their total team purse. Chennai Smashers, Pune 7 Aces and North Eastern Warriors were the biggest savers, managing to keep INR 19 lakhs, INR 14 lakhs and INR 8 lakhs respectively even after putting together the teams.

  • 0

Letter to His Excellency, the President of India in connection with MU impasse by MIYC

Greetings to His Excellency, the President of India!
His Excellency, the President of India might have been well aware of the 134 days old ongoing Manipur University Disaster regarding the removal of Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey from the Vice-Chancellorship of Manipur University on the ground of his administrative and financial irregularities that have totally jeopardised the functioning of the Manipur University in every direction.
Never in the history of independent India had such a thing happened where an academic institute of highest learning stands completely deadlocked for 85 days (almost three months; 30 May 2018 – 22 August 2018)  by virtue of the incapacity, misconduct and violation of statutory provisions by an incompetent and irresponsible Vice-Chancellor and the subsequent and continuing military siege of the Manipur University from the intervening night of Thursday, 20 September 2018 and Friday, 21 September 2018 in the aftermath of the arbitrary directives from one Mr. Vijay Kumar, Under Secretary to the Government of India inciting one Prof. K. Yugindro Singh (under suspension vide MU Office Order No.MU/3-159/85/85/FCY dated the 18th September 2018) to hold the charge of Vice Chancellor, Manipur University. The whole of Manipur University Fraternity - the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU), the Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) and the Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) have stood together for the ouster of Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey from the Vice-Chancellorship of Manipur University for his dictatorial regime in running the Manipur University by bringing down the sanctity of a university at its lowest form. Amongst the several charges levelled against Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey, the most crucial ones include the non-functioning of the important statutory bodies comprising the Executive Council, the Academic Council and the University Court in clear violation of the Manipur University Act, 2005, norms and precedents; and the payment of Rs. 2,00,000.00 (Rupees Two Lakh) to Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Manipur.  
Normalcy resumed in the academic atmosphere of the Manipur University after signing the landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Manipur University Community and the Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Human Resource, Government of India on 16 August 2018 in the presence of the Commissioner (Higher & Technical Education), Manipur and the Chief Minister of Manipur and his Council of Ministers. The University reopened from the 23 August 2018 with examination results declared and processes for admission to MA/MSc Courses being initiated.
Fresh crisis has flared up again at Manipur University since 1 September 2018 after                  Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey (on leave till the completion of the enquiry, corroborated by the MU Office Order No. MU/VC/02 dated the 30th August 2018) declared his resumption of work in a self-issued order as the Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University and single-handedly banning teachers and staff associations of the Manipur University in total disrespect of the MOA and the Enquiry Committee instituted. The wilful actions of Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey in issuing repeated unwarranted orders appointing different posts in the Manipur University admist pending enquiry against him has again pulled down the university into turmoil. The Manipur University has triggered into an undeclared war zone with the deployment of a large number of security forces including central paramilitary forces apart from the state police forces after the 20-21 September 2018 midnight military onslaught of the university campus. The arrest and subsequent detention of several students and teachers has ravaged the sanctity of the academic atmosphere of the university bringing the normal functioning of the university into an abrupt halt and chaos. The military siege of the Manipur University and excessive atrocities meted out to the students and the teachers shall ever remain written in black letters in the annals of the history of Indian democracy in general and the oppressed history of Manipur in particular. It would not be unjust to say that the act of continued putting of Manipur University till writing this letter under military siege is an act of State Terrorism.
We are writing to bring some key issues regarding the Manipur University Impasse to the notice of His Excellency, the President of India, the largest democracy in the world and bring forth a viable solution to save the Manipur University from possible extinction.
Nullifying every competent order issued regarding giving leave to Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey and the terms of the leave, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on 16 August 2018 placed the leave of Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey on extension till the completion of the enquiry of the “Two Men Independent Enquiry Committee” and the follow-up action taken on the enquiry report by the competent authority. As such, Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey’s unwarranted order dated the 10th September 2018 regarding the appointment of one Prof. K. Yugindro Singh, Department of Physics as a Pro-Vice-Chancellor without the approval of the Executive Council, Manipur University is null and void since Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey has been on official leave vis-a-vis pending enquiry against him and does not have any legal authority to appoint someone as a Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The Section 4 common to both the “Statutes of the University” under the Manipur University Act 2005 and the “Statutes of the University” under the Central Universities Act 2009 clearly states that:
“The Pro-Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Executive Council on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor.
Provided that where the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor is not accepted by the Executive Council, the matter shall be referred to the Visitor who may either appoint the person recommended by the Vice-Chancellor or ask the Vice-Chancellor to recommend another person to the Executive Council.
Provided further that the Executive Council may, on the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, appoint a Professor to discharge the duties of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor in addition to his own duties as a Professor.”
As no Executive Council Meeting was held after the last meeting of 28 February 2018 regarding the appointment of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor, the position of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University shall be deemed still lying vacant and hence the appointment of a Pro-VC by Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey (on leave and then suspended by an MHRD Order on  17 September 2018); the arbitrary directives, dated the 19th September 2018 from one Mr. Vijay Kumar, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Government of India and                         Prof. Shyamkesho’s (under suspension since 7 September 2018) notification (Office Order dated the 18th September 2018) regarding assigning Prof. K. Yugindro Singh as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor as well as the Vice-Chancellor in-charge of Manipur University have no legal validity rather than an act of the violation of the Manipur University Act 2005 and the Central Universities Act 2009 and the complete violation of the MOA signed on 16 August 2018. Both Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey and Prof. Shyamkesho Singh may be entitled for befitting Statute of Limitations. The present deadlock/total shutdown and military siege of the Manipur University has resulted from the unexpected and unceremonious entry of Prof. K. Yugindro Singh and               Prof. M. Shyamkesho Singh into the tension-filled Manipur University Campus on               20 September 2018 in their attempt to assume charges of Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University and Registrar (i/c) respectively and subsequent filing of an FIR against the students (admission by Prof. K. Yugindro Singh in his meeting with Her Excellency the Governor of Manipur on 21 September 2018, validated by the Letter dated the 6th October 2018 addressed to Prof. K. Yugindro Singh, VC i/c, MU from Shri. Th. Chittaranjan Singh, OSD/Secretary to the Governor of Manipur). The Manipur University has once again come to a complete shutdown after the military siege of 20-21 September 2018 with the students boycotting semester examinations and locking of different faculties. The scuffle between the students and the security forces continues till today. In fact, Prof. W. Viswanath Singh and Prof. Sougaijam Dorendrajit should continue as the VC in-charge and as the Registrar in-charge in strict adherence to all the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement.
The Manipur University Debacle made a U-turn when Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey filed a petition at the High Court of Manipur on 5 September 2018 challenging the MOA signed between the Manipur University Community, the State Government and the Union Ministry of Human Resource. The 17 September 2018 hearing of the Writ petition filed by Prof. Adya Prasad was deferred as the High Court of Manipur was told about the filing of an SLP before the Supreme Court of India by Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey, who could not produce relevant documents before the High Court of Manipur. The filing of the SLP by Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey at the Supreme Court of India before any judgement is made by the High Court of Manipur regarding his plea is in complete violation of the spirit of the Article 136 of the Constitution of India, of which His Excellency, the President of India is the Guardian. This act of Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey is against the ethos Constitution of India, and if not checked, it may upset the constitutional law and the democratic secular character of this vast country.
The Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) congratulates His Excellency, the President of India in serving the nation as the 14th President of India. We pray that the Almighty God shall grant His Excellency, the President of India wisdom and health to lead the country in this.
As the guardian of the Constitution, we convey through this letter the concern of the Manipur University Community in particular and the Manipur People in general about the present scenario in Manipur University with thousands of students on the brink of losing their bright academic career and make this solemn urge to bring an end to the ongoing Manipur Univeristy Disaster by demilitarising the Manipur University and by removing Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey from the Vice-Chancellorship of Manipur University in your capacity as the Visitor of the Manipur University and in exercise of the powers conferred on you under the provisions of the Statute 2(5) of the Central Universities Act 2009, which states (excerpt):
 “Notwithstanding anything contained in Clause (4), the Visitor may, at any time after the Vice-Chancellor has entered upon his office, by order in writing remove the Vice-Chancellor from office on grounds of incapacity, misconduct or violation of statutory provisions:”
May your term as the President of India be blessed by the Almighty God so that your office could be a blessing to all citizens of the country!

Yours sincerely,
MC Meetei
Coordinator
Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC)

  • 0
Subscribe to this RSS feed