ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF TWO STUDENTS
From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, May 11: Students of the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Science (CPGSAS), Umiam, on Monday staged a protest demanding the immediate removal of Pranab Dutta, Chairman of the School of Crop Protection, over allegations of sexual harassment involving two students.
The students organised a sit-in demonstration, holding placards and raising slogans seeking action against the professor.
Sources said that Prof. Dutta, who serves at CPGSAS under the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, has been accused of allegedly sexually harassing the two students on multiple occasions over the past few months.
They said the protest was triggered by the alleged inaction of the institution’s authorities despite complaints against the professor. Students from different states studying at the institution joined the agitation, demanding immediate intervention from the authorities.
The protesting students demanded the professor’s immediate removal and warned that failure to act would compel them to approach higher authorities at the CAU.
Amid the protest, a magistrate and police went to the campus to defuse the situation and ensure that the institution functioned normally and peacefully.
The students were initially firm on continuing the agitation, insisting they would not withdraw the protest until they received the inquiry report on a complaint lodged with the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
However, following the magistrate’s intervention, the students were informed that the ICC had assured them that a proper inquiry would be conducted and necessary action would be taken against the accused professor in accordance with the rules and regulations.
Following the assurance, the students decided to suspend their protest. They also resolved to lodge an FIR against the professor over the alleged sexual harassment of the two students.
The protest also saw the presence of leaders of the Women Organisation of Ri-Bhoi district, led by its president, Mirajune Myrsing and adviser Rivulet Kylla, who extended support to the agitating students, particularly the two alleged victims.
The organisation demanded a fair and thorough inquiry into the allegations and urged authorities to take appropriate legal action if the accusations are substantiated.
