Imphal, May 29: Pointing out that MUSU elections are held under election committees constituted by MUSU itself and not under Dean of Students' Welfare, the Manipur University Muslim Students' Union (MUMSU) decried the accusations made against Prof Islamuddin.
The brutal murder of Prof Islamuddin within MU campus in front of students smacked of an assumption that Islamuddin belonged to a minority community and that no one would dare fight for him.
Such murder aimed at sowing seeds of animosity among different communities was unacceptable to MUMSU, it conveyed.
Observing that the posts of Dean of Students' Welfare and Proctor were allotted to Prof Islamuddin by the MU authority, the MUMSU accused the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of making Prof Islamuddin their scapegoat.
Demanding resignation of the VC and the Registrar on moral ground for their conspicuous inaction, it appealed to all concerned to penalise the two top officials for their irresponsibility.
Observing that many MU officials below the rank of Prof Islamuddin were given security escorts, MUMSU questioned as to why no arrangement for providing security escorts to Prof Islamuddin was made even as it was clear that Prof Islamuddin was under threat.
In the same vein, the DM Colleges Muslim Students' Union asserted that the murder of Prof Islamuddin was a direct threat to the Muslim community.
Questioning whether killing people can bring about a revolution, the union asked the perpetrators to kill all minority Muslim students, if they (perpetrators) think so.
"If we are a nuisance to the Manipuri society, it would have been much better to drive off all Muslims from Manipur when their number was little", the student body lamented.
If the killers are not booked soon, the DM Colleges Muslim Students' Union would join in all the movements that may be launched to bring justice against the murder.
Asking if such remorseless killing for some mistakes or error should be accepted as a culture of the Manipuri society, it remarked that the murder of Prof Islamuddin was an act of victimising a soft target while sparing the real targets.
Under such circumstances, the minority Muslims are literally caught between the devil and the sea, it decried.
It would be a blunder to heap charges against a dead man as if no dead man speaks.
The student body also questioned as to why the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar remained silent when Prof Islamuddin committed follies and fraudulence, if there was any.
Saying that all armed groups should estimate the gravity of implications that would leave on the future generations by the prevailing gun culture, it wondered what would be the situation like when every citizen take up arms to protect their lives.
The cold blooded murder of Prof Islamuddin without giving a chance to correct himself even if he had committed some mistakes had denied Islamuddin any opportunity to contribute something positive to the society in his future life.
Sensing some conspiracy behind the murder, the student body appealed to all concerned not to indulge in such mean-minded activities in future.
Meanwhile, the All Manipur Government Aided College Teachers' Association (AMGACTA) while condemning the murder, appealed to all concerned not to repeat such acts in future.
Imphal, May 28 : Dismissing the proscribed KYKL's allegations against the slain Prof Md Islamudin of Manipur University as fictitious, the Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) has questioned the sincerity and commitment of the banned outfit in the eradication of ills afflicting education system in the State.
Categorically asserting that MUSU cannot accept accusations levelled posthumously against the former Dean of Students' Welfare, a MUSU statement issued jointly by seven of its Councillors rejected KYKL's contention against Md Islamudin as unfounded with the intention of maligning the image of the victimised Professor.
Reacting strongly against the slaying of the Professor on May 25 inside the MU campus, the Councillors clarified that conduct of MUSU elections is the prerogative of the election committees constituted from time to time and not under the former Dean.
Expressing that even the general public are well aware of events that preceded this year's MUSU election and blaming MUSU office bearers is unjustified, the councillors also opined that KYKL should have pondered the consequences of killing someone who had been assisting the younger generation in not only in their pursuit of academic excellence but in moulding them into productive citizens.
The MUSU statement also castigated the KYKL organisation for resorting to killing the Professor as their (KYKL's) attempts to implant individuals of their choice in the varsity as Councillors failed.
Referring to KYKL's assertion that MU has been converted to an institution wherein certain teaching faculties and students have been calling the shots, MUSU speculated such assumptions might have been compelled due to opposition against certain individuals who held MUSU to ransom on the basis of fake certificates.
While doubting authenticity of KYKL's accusation that groups of individuals have been indulging in activities not related to academic interest such as appointment and promotion of teaching faculties, issuance of contract works, supply assignments etc., MUSU charged the armed outfit of double-speak.
In case KYKL is committed in uplifting standard of education through weeding out corrupt and nefarious elements, why no specific action had been initiated against former MUSU president Ashirjit Luwang (Boicha) who had a dubious academic record (fake certificate) and another former president Kh Ashokumar who indulged in contract works during his presidentship, the seven Councillors countered.
Alleging that one Associate Prof (Manipuri Department) Rajen Toijamba tampered marks of four students to help them in pursuing PhD studies at the varsity, the MUSU questioned inaction against such an individual by the KYKL.
Without specifying the MUSU statement further contended that an armed group had committed fraud by swindling lakhs of rupees meant for development of Wi-Fi infrastructure in the varsity in addition to ridiculing inaction of the KYKL inspite of the knowledge that Kh Ashokumar during his 2005-06 presidentship was involved in manipulating existing norms for the appointment of staff in various departments of the varsity.
MUSU also desired that MU authorities expedite relevant processes that merit actions based on the accusations of the KYKL organisation so as to resolve the issue and restore academic tranquillity.
Imphal, May 1 : dismissing as pretentious and flimsy, allegations from certain section that the election process of Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) was improper, MUSU in a statement issued today asserted that all the 22 successful candidates had complied with the prescribed norms as per MUSU constitution.
Highlighting that intervention of the varsity's A-Block in the MUSU election is uncalled for as the sole authority for the election including issuance of certificate rests with the election committee, the MUSU statement further observed some that A-Block officials might have been pressurised to raise objection.
some student bodies claiming election of new MUSU office bearers was in violation of relevant poll process seems to be a sign of frustration and out of desperation, the MUSU statement issued by one Thangal Yumnamcha, Research Councillor opined and posed in case there is any authenticity in the poll code violation claim the same should have been put forth before the scrunity deadline lapsed as there was ample time in between constitution of the election Committee and the scrutiny held on april 20 .
Pointing out that access to the students' home is the right of every MUSU functionary, Thangal insisted that any illegal attempt to bar entry would entail necessary legal action.
MUSU presidential candidate claiming the post without any contest had also taken place in the 1998-99 election, he reminded and reaffirmed that as the 22 successful candidates adhered to prescribed norms there should be no qualm from those who had not conformed to the MUSU constitution and fell short of the documental requirement regulation.
Moreover, the fact that no enquiry panel was constituted in connection with the 1998-99 election inspite of objection by the rival candidate and subsequent controversy, is a testimony that A-Block and MUSU election are separate entities.
As the new MUSU office bearers are determined to concentrate on the development aspect and preserve the varsity's sanctity the visiting Chancellor Prof PN Srivastava has been provided all the information with regard to state of Manipur University, the Research Councillor added.
Imphal, April 27 : Making a scathing attack against the MUSU election committee 2009-10 with regard to the EC's press statement issued on April 24, aspiring presidential candidate K Ranjita alleged that the election committee had lost their minds.
In a statement, Ranjita said that her protest against making original certificate of class XII mandatory while filing nomination papers was on the ground that the time given to collect original certificate was too short and that it lacked logic.
For a student belonging to far off places like Jiribam and interior areas of Churachandpur, Tamenglong etc who have gone home for the April 16 Parliamentary poll, they had no chance to know about the MUSU notification until the late hours of April 15, that too if their friends here took the trouble to inform them through telephone.
As they had to exercise their franchise, they could come back only on April 17 and reached Manipur University in the evening.
On the next day, when they go to file their nomination papers, they would see a new notification making it mandatory to enclose original certificates of class XII.
Under such circumstances, it was impossible to collect original certificates of class XII on the available single day for it required verification by the heads of schools/colleges, she asserted.
Ranjita also questioned how could students who passed class XII from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Guwahati, Shillong obtain their original certificates within the given three days' period (two days for students belonging to Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency) .
Noting that the regulation which made it mandatory to enclose original certificates was not mentioned in the election notification though it was inserted in the nomination form, Ranjita asserted that the election process was conducted under a conspiracy.
Regarding the election committee's claim that many candidates could file their nomination papers along with original certificates, Ranjita said that only those who were a party to the conspiracy or who knew about the conspiracy in advance could meet the deadline.
The elections for MUSU were always keenly contested, she noted while questioning as to why there were no rivals this time.
One fundamental reason for this was the inability of the aspiring candidates to obtain original certificates of class XII, she said.
Coming to the meaning of the word 'formal', Ranjita said that the word does not necessarily mean only what is written in paper.
Explaining that the word 'formal' means what is official or it may mean a conventional practice, Ranjita claimed that verbal approach or representation was very in practice in MU at the time of elections.
She maintained her and other students' verbal appeal/representation to the election committee, the students' Dean and the VC were very much formal.
The election committee talking about 'formal application/complaint' only exposed that it knew its mistake 'informally'.
The only thing was that it was not 'formal', said Ranjita while asking whether the election committee deemed it unnecessary to rectify its mistakes unless there was a written complaint.
Saying that the incident of throwing of eggs and tomatoes at the office of the VC by some infuriated students was not on the day of scrutiny, she asked the EC to correct its misleading press statement.
Acknowledging that no one has the right to question any decision taken by the Election Committee, Ranjita, however, alleged that members of the committee seemed to be lacking basic knowledge of law and common sense.
It is an universal law that in the event of any amendment to a constitution, the basic structure should be left unchanged.
Should the MUSU election committee apply the new regulation, there should be prior debate, a general body decision and due notification issued in advance, Ranjita observed.
Above that, the time given by the EC was irrational, illogical and practically impossible.
Quoting popular sayings "An unjust law in not law at all", "Power without justice is tyranny", Ranjita appealed to the Election Committee not to be tyrants.
Had Dean of Students' Welfare Prof Islamuddin resigned on April 18, in what capacity the Prof showed up on the day of scrutiny ? Why didn't the election committee raise any objection ?.
Prof Islamuddin's resignation was not accepted by the VC till April 20, as such he was still a Dean on the day, Ranjita asserted.
Although it is true that the election committee is constituted by the MUSU president and is an autonomous body, the RO is appointed with the permission or at least knowledge of the Dean.
Explaining the degree of autonomy enjoyed by the election committee, Ranjita said that without the knowledge of Manipur University authority, appointment of RO or declaration of election results cannot be made official, she contended.
The election committee is not fully independent but should function under MU authority within the parameters described above.
Moreover, the election committee is not empowered to formulate rules which are inhuman, irrational or illogical, she said.
The appointment of a new RO without knowledge of the Dean after the former resigned was totally unconstitutional.
As per the conventional election rules of MUSU, the new RO could not be given recognition.
Referring to the last minute assent given by election committee to file nomination papers with provisional certificates on the request of three candidates, Ranjita asked about the election committee's notice which could be bent either way.
"Didn't it mean that whoever in the good book of the committee would be allowed to contest elections and others would be prohibited ?", Ranjita asked.
She further questioned as to how the committee forgot its commitment that no student with forged certificate would be allowed to become leader of MU students at that moment.
"How did the committee know that no one among the three candidates had forged certificate ?" Ranjita questioned.
Further if the election committee was really concerned about any one with forged certificate contesting elections, not only the original certificate of class XII but also of BA/BSc/BCom and MA/MSc/MCom should have been made mandatory, Ranjita observed.
She further questioned the meaning of issuing a notification which allowed filing nomination papers without original certificates when the time for filing nomination was already over.
Asserting that holding her responsible for any possible untoward incident to any of the election committee member was illogical, Ranjita accused the election committee of giving birth to the present issue.
The election committee was responsible for the restless and insecure situation prevailing in MU as well as for the looming threat to the academic atmosphere.
The election committee should be held responsible for both what is good and bad, she countered.
Reiterating that the MUSU election conducted by the election committee through faulty process was not acceptable, she demanded that the MUSU election should be held anew after correcting all the faulty processes.
Until and unless the demand is met, there would be no respite in the ongoing agitation/movement, Ranjita said while seeking cooperation from students and the public towards this end.
Imphal, April 26 : The dispute over the conduct of election to the post of president of Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) persisted with the spurned presidential candidate K Ranjita Devi slamming the Election Committee with allegations of being partial and preferential treatment.
Reacting to the clarification issued by the election committee and published in the media, Ranjita Devi in a statement ridiculed the Committee's eleventh hour notification that every aspiring candidate needs to submit original certificate of class XII at the time of filing nomination papers.
Insisting that the particular notification circulated on April 15 evening meant candidates were left with no option due to time constraint, Ranjita said as election for the Outer manipur Parliamentary constituency was slated for the next day (April 16) aspiring candidates were certain to miss the deadline as many of the students had left for their respective place to exercise their democratic rights.
Pointing out that such a criteria for the contestants to submit class XII original certificate within a limited period was intended to ensure election of candidate of the Committee's choice, Ranjita also reminded the Committee members on the procedural complications in obtaining the documents.
Further contending that she had also apprised the Committee on the time constraint in submitting the said document, Ranjita further posed why the Committee inserted the criteria in the nomination form.
Not ruling out conspiracy theory and ulterior motive in the issuance of the notification, she also recounted that never in the history of the manipur university Students' Union (MUSU) elections had the presidential post been filled up without a rival candidate.
Further highlighting that in addition to the manipur university Students' Union (MUSU) president and 22 of the councillors having been elected without contest, Ranjita claimed that three departments yet to be represented owing to absence of contestants is a testimony of favouritism and preferential treatment of the Committee.
Moreover, the fact that some of the councillors had not complied with the formality prescribed by the Committee itself nullifies the stricture that the entire election exercise had been based on viable formality, the president aspirant noted.
Regarding the issue of Dean Prof Islamuddin tendering resignation but the intimation not accepted by the Vice Chancellor till april 20, Ranjita demanded clarification from the Committee what status had been accorded to Prof islamuddin during the interim period when he showed up on the day of scrutiny on april 18 .
other alleged anomalies listed by Ranjita included hasty appointment of RO and the Committee's insistence that any untoward incident arising out of the MUSU poll should be shouldered by her.
Imphal, April 8 : Joining the outcry against the assault on MUSU president Ksh Narayan and ECHO editor Ng Milan, the Oriental College Students' Union has condemned the assault in the strongest term.
A press release issued by the union asserted all student organisations should work to avoid such incidents in future.
Attacking the leader of a student body for some annoyance is an act of mafia gangs who could not think deeply.
Observing that student unions of schools/colleges may come under similar attack for some dissastisfaction or anger, it appealed to all student unions to be alert and careful.
The Oriental College Students Union also pledged unstinted support in all its activities/initiatives.
The Naorem Birahari College Students' Union has also decried the assault on MUSU president Narayan and Milan at their office by DESAM volunteers who were numerically much superior.
The physical assault on the MUSU president was an act of gangsterism and was tantamount to assaulting the whole student community of Manipur.
The student union further asserted that all student bodies should stand for genuine students who are studying.
It's time to unmask all those who have been masquerading as students, it added.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by SFI Manipur State Committee maintained that SFI would condemn any assault on MUSU president regardless whether the president is a representative of any student organisation.
For such an assault, the SFI need not look for the reasons behind the act, it said.
Asserting that Manipur University is a place of learning but not for practising 'goondaism', the SFI also condemned the reported assault on two students by unidentified persons in the university's men's hostel on April 4.It urged upon the authority concerned to book all those involved in the assault.
The SFI further appealed to the MU authority to take up all precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident within its campus in future.
On the other hand, the DM College of Science Students' Union has appealed to all concerned to avert recurrence of the ugly incident that took place between MUSU and DESAM.
The student union also questioned the unawareness of MUSU about the MU Executive Council meeting and its decision.
It asserted that the arrest of two leaders of a student body could not restore academic atmosphere in Manipur University.
IMPHAL, April 6 : Regarding the incident of assault on the president of the MUSU, a press meet was held at the office of the DESAM today.
In the meet Y Ratankumar, secretary general of the DESAM said it was unfortunate that a student organisation working for a political party and research club based at MU has put charges against the DESAM. The DESAM accept that the act is undemocratic but making a person understand is natural.
And looking at only one side of the assault on the MUSU president and not the wrong works of the president was unacceptable and undemocratic.
Putting a question to SFI, he asked if the act of DESAM was undemocratic why Narayan targeted and hurt the sentiments of DESAM without any instigation.
It was unfortunate for the MU authorities including VC to protest the incident of assault on the MUSU president without condemning the works of Narayan in letting down the image of MU.
The DESAM apologised to the people and specially teachers of MU for disrupting the academic atmosphere and added the incident might not have happened if Narayan worked for the betterment of education and did not play with the sentiments of DESAM.
He also added that if Narayan did not apologise to the DESAM then further action would be taken to make him understand.
Meanwhile, a press statement from Ananda Chongtham, general secretary of the MUSU, said that after the terror attack at the MUSU office, the DESAM is trying to hide their fault by blaming the president of MUSU of throwing tea on the members of DESAM.
The statement further alleged that DESAM tried to break the sit-in protest by making their own drama at Hostel No. 1 which was totally uncalled for and an attempt to divert the issue.
Regarding the selection of professor of physics department, it asked why the DESAM did not interact at that particular time and give any comments.
It asked if it was the fault of the MUSU president that Ashirjit became president of DESAM.
It further added that the past president of MUSU could not bring up the problem of Ashirjit but in the tenure of Narayan he did so and this was a achievement of the MU and MUSU. The DESAM is angry over the bringing up of the fake certificate issue.
It is time to teach a lesson to DESAM that their theory of ‘might is right’ was wrong.
It added that DESAM named their members who carried out the terror attack as ‘heroes’ but such a social title should be given by the public instead of by themselves, it said while asking them to return the spectacles of Narayan, Airtel Data Card (Internet), External HDD 160 GB (Laptop HDD with Caching) and documents of MU and MUSU after which the DESAM would be welcome to bring a solution.