GUWAHATI: The 85-day shutdown in Manipur University has finally come to an end with the agitating varsity community comprising Manipur University Students Union (MUSU), Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) agreeing to suspend the agitation following fulfillment of their demands in respect of the terms and references of the independent fact finding committee.
With the suspension of the agitation in the central university, the academic activities in the state where about 90 colleges are affiliated to the varsity, are expected to resume much to the relief of thousands of students and their guardians.
Moreover, the two-member fact-finding team constituted by the HRD ministry will now be able to conduct probe into the allegation leveled against the Vice-Chancellor Adya Prashad Pandey who have already been sent on leave to facilitate an independent inquiry.
It was on May 30, the MUSU shut down the central university demanding ouster of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adya Prasad Pandey, accusing the latter of indifferent attitude towards his responsibilities especially because of his long absence from the office as he allegedly goes outside the state every month that hampers the functioning of the varsity.
The Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA) and Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) too have extended unrelenting support to agitation launched by the MUSU.
The Vice Chancellor Professor Adya Prasad Pandey who has now been sent on leave after constitution of a fact-finding team by the HRD Ministry, had earlier stated before the media that the allegations made against him by MUSU were ‘false and baseless ’ and that he would not resign from his post.
