Solution to Manipur University unrest in sight?

Imphal: The newly appointed administrator of Manipur University, Jarnail Singh, feels that the problems faced by the university will be solved very soon.

Talking to reporters soon after a meeting with the suspended pro V-C of the university Prof K Yugindro Singh, in the university campus on Monday, Singh, who is also discharging the duties of V-C, said, “Yes, the solution is very near.”

Commenting on his meeting with Jarnail Singh, Yugindro Singh said that the newly appointed administrator of the university has formulated a compromising formula to bring back normalcy to the university as soon as possible.

When asked about the withdrawal of FIRs against the university teachers and students, Prof Yugindro Singh further said that arrangements have been made so that the arrested members of the university family can be released at the earliest.

On Sunday, students, teachers and other staff members of Manipur University vehemently criticised the move of the Imphal Central Jail officials to allegedly bring six arrested teachers for medical check-up in handcuffs. The Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA), the Manipur University Students Union (MUSU) and the Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) also termed the move an “insulting treatment of members of the university community”.

In another related development, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the authorities concerned to submit a detailed report on the midnight raid on the intervening night of September 20 and 21, following which a case was filed by human rights activist Henri Tiphagne.

The letter from the NHRC said that if a detailed report is not furnished within a month, the commission shall be constrained to invoke coercive process under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, for personal appearance of the concerned authority.