Imphal: Tribal students call hill bandh; MUSU to disrupt Assembly
What's the story
Throwing its weight behind the beleaguered Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University, AP Pandey, a tribal students' body has called for an indefinite hill bandh from tomorrow, coinciding with Manipur University Students' Union's (MUSU) decision to disrupt the Assembly session for not discussing the impasse at the institute. Ever since he assumed charge, Pandey worked with efficiency and maintained transparency, Joint Bodies of Tribal Students said.
VC removal
VC's removal should be based on findings of probe: Student-body
The tribal students' body said Pandey's removal must be based on findings of the probe by the committee appointed by the government, adding, "We are also against the prolonged closure of the university." The university remained closed for the 52nd day today. As a precautionary measure, security personnel were deployed in the high-security zones in Imphal. Iron-barricades with barbed wires were also kept ready.
Information
Biren Singh had constituted a fact-finding committee
Chief Minister N Biren Singh has re-constituted a fact-finding committee comprising a retired Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court and representatives of the UGC and the HRD Ministry to probe the allegations of financial irregularities and administrative negligence against Pandey.
Strike
Students' Union had called a two-day general strike
Earlier, the students' union, supported by various civil bodies, had called a two-day general strike from July 17. The strike was by and large peaceful till the second evening, when clashes broke out between the bandh supporters and security personnel. In view of the situation, the state government has suspended mobile Internet and SMS services to curb rumor-mongering for five days, starting July 19.