IMPHAL, December 23: Alleging that there are various discrepancies in the functioning of the Manipur University and its administration, a student body titled Manipur University Students Union Revival Development Committee has made a demand that the student union should be reinstated at the earliest.
During a press conference held at the office of the Committee at MU campus today, its convener Suresh Thokchom said that absence of an elected students’ body has dampened the performance of the institution in academic, cultural and sporting aspects besides hampering administrative transparency.
Alleging that contract works receive more attention than academic matters at the university, he stated that the situation has become such that access of high profile contractors into the university campus is given freely while parents visiting their wards are not allowed to freely commute inside the campus.
He had also mentioned that a number of home guard personnel are utilized at personal whims of some bureaucratic officers and unnecessary expenditure is incurred for purchase of water, some persons are allowed to rear fish and establish shops and stationeries inside the campus, appointment of relatives as administrators or contractual staff is practice at whim, SC/ ST community has been neglected.
Other complaints include the vice-chancellor giving approval to various construction works, sanction of all bills as he doubles up as the finance officer, he said.
This is against university norms, and such mal-administration can be checked by a student body, the student spokesperson further observed.
In this regard, the committee had already apprised the President of India, Prime Minister, Manipur Governor, HRD minister through a memorandum submitted on December 9, stating that corrective measures are necessary for the smooth functioning of the university, he further continued.
However, there has been no positive response from the mentioned quarters and as such the students have decided to hold agitations from today onwards.
Hence, the students committee launched a black badge protest today inside the campus, he continued.
Further agitations are lined up including violent course of action.
The committee seeks intervention of the vice-chancellor in this regard and further warned that whatever eventualities occurred in regard with the protest, the sole responsibility should be the vice chancellor’s entirely, Suresh maintained.
Co-operation from the college student unions are also sought by the MUSU committee.