IMPHAL, August 6: At least seven students including three girls were injured in police action this morning in front of the Manipur University administration block.
The incident was the fallout of the sudden closure of the Manipur University without any clear explanation.
The University was closed until further notice following an order issued by the Registrar, N Lokendra Singh yesterday.
As per the order, the ongoing classes including practical examinations of PG courses have been suspended with immediate effect until further notice besides asking the hostellers to vacate their respective hostels by 4pm of August 6.
Following the order, the hostellers started vacating since yesterday however a handful of hostellers in defiance stayed behind.
According to information culled from the spot, it has been learnt that disappointed by the short notice to vacate their hostel rooms, the students who stayed behind proceeded towards the administration block today with the intention to meet the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar.
However, they were denied permission.
Perturbed with the denial, the students went on a rampage and started attacking the block which resorted, the police to use force against them.
To disperse the mob police baton charged and fired mock bombs, injuring the students. However, no serious injury is reported.
Some of the hostellers are reportedly taking shelter at Khuman Lampak Youth hostel while others are taking refuge at the Heijigang Bazaar community hall (opposite to the university).
Speaking to IFP this evening, a student stationed at the Haijigang community hall expressed his disappointment over the sudden move of the MU.
“How can one expect to vacate the hostel within such a short notice? Some of the hostellers are from the remote corners of the State. We condemned and demand the MU to revoked the order”, he continued.
Meanwhile, official sources told IFP that the order was issued with an intention to prevent any untoward incidents in the wake of the disturbed atmosphere within the campus following the confrontation of two groups with regards to reservation issue.
It may be recalled, students belonging to OBC and SC are objecting to a newly issued Central government directive to alter the reservation norms which weighed the balance against them. The new norms, if implemented, would come in favour of ST students, and therefore the university authorities anticipate violent confrontations, therefore the order for closing the university “till further notice.”
