Manipur University Agitation: Centre suspends varsity Vice-Chancellor AP Pandey

The Ministry of Human Resource Development today has suspended Manipur University Vice-Chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey till the completion of the enquiry against him.

The president has placed AP Pandey under suspension in his capacity as the visitor of the university.

The BJP and the state Govt. has been facing pressure regarding this issue for the last few days. The suspended Manipur University vice-chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey, was appointed by the Narendra Modi govt. who is facing allegations of corruption and maladministration which led to agitation in the University in recent times.

As per official sources the decision has been made “taking into account the law and order situation” on the campus.

Deputy Secretary Surat Singh while issuing a notice issued on Monday said," “The President of India in his capacity as Visitor of the Manipur University, on consideration of material on record and taking into account volatile law and order situation in the Campus of the University and in exercise of powers conferred on him...is pleased to place Pandey under suspension with immediate effect and till completion of the inquiry and action to be taken thereon in the interest of justice for free and fair inquiry or till further orders.”

In the meantime, a two-member independent committee, which was formed by the HRD ministry to probe into the financial irregularities and alleged administrative AP Pandey had started its procedure on September 6. The enquiry committee had asked all stakeholders to submit relevant details till September 16 now had extended the deadline till September 24. Justice (retired) T Nandakumar is the head of the committee and Prof M K Choudhury is the member.

The University was closed since May 30 after students triggered an agitation that wanted the removal of the VC. It reopened on August 22 after the government set up a fact-finding committee to probe the allegations and send Pandey on leave. But when Pandey returned to the campus earlier this month a new unrest was stimulated with

Pandey banning staff and student unions.

Pandey banned three agitating bodies Manipur University Staffs Association (MUSA), Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA), and Manipur University Students Union (MUSU)which actively took part in the agitation.

The 85-day agitation by MUSU, MUTA and MUSA had already plagued functioning and administration of the Manipur University.

The decision was finalized after rounds of meetings and political consultations at the highest level. The issue turns out to be a sensitive one for BJP with RSS’ student wing, Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, strongly backing the V-C.

The students, teachers, and staff of Manipur University altogether thanked the ministry and demanded that Pandey should vacate his official quarters at Sanjenthong in Imphal. M Sanatomba, Manipur University Teachers’ Association executive member told The Telegraph “We hope we will continue to get the support until Pandey is terminated from his posts.”