After 77 days, Manipur University reopens

Imphal (Manipur), Aug 23, 2018:

The Manipur University reopened on Thursday after 77 days of shutdown, enforced by the varsity students and faculty members demanding the ouster of vice chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey.

On Wednesday, the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) had announced the suspension of the ongoing agitation. It took the decision taking into consideration the difficulties faced by students.

The MUSU had launched the agitation on July 6. In due course, Manipur University Teachers’ Association and Manipur University Staffs’ Association joined the protests.

As a result of the suspension of the agitation, the Ministry of Human Resources Development signed a memorandum of understanding with the protestors in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The major points of the agreement included reconstituting a two-member inquiry committee to probe the allegations against Pandey and sending him on leave during the period of inquiry and until follow-up action is taken.

In the wake of the protests, almost all the heads of departments and deans of the varsity had resigned, bringing activities on the campus to a grinding halt. The protests also affected students of around 86 colleges affiliated to the varsity.