Manipur University impasse | Pandey resumes duties as Vice-Chancellor

IMPHAL, September 5, 2018: Incumbent vice-chancellor of Manipur University (MU) Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey, on Tuesday said that he will continue to discharge his duty as the Vice Chancellor of the university as he claims to not have received any letter for extension of leave.

Speaking to media persons at his Sanjenthong quarter, Pandey said he resumed his duties on September 1 after having completed his 30 days leave. He informed that a camp office has been opened at his official quarter as his office is locked.

The Union ministry of human resource development had asked Pandey to go on leave to probe allegations levelled by the university's students against him.

An order, issued by the university's registrar (in-charge) Sh. Dorendrajit Singh, said Pandey's leave had been extended with effect from September 1 until the completion of the inquiry proceedings against him and a necessary follow-up action was taken on the inquiry report.

Addressing a news conference at his residence in Officers' Colony on Tuesday, Pandey said he had resumed his duties after completing 30 days' of leave, which began on August 2, as had not received any such order. He said he had submitted his joining letter to the authorities on Saturday.

"If I have to take further leave, I will decide after I get an official letter," he added.

He also asked why the committee had not completed its inquiry during his 30-day leave.

The inquiry is said to commence from Thursday.

Pandey has opened an office as he cannot enter his chamber on the university campus. He said he had complained to the director-general of police as his office is locked.

"I am ready to accept any inquiry, even if it is conducted by the CBI, if it is fully independent. The current inquiry committee is partial because the chairman of the committee is a relative of one of the spokespersons of Manipur University Teachers' Association. How can I accept the inquiry committee?" he asked.

The ministry had constituted an independent inquiry committee headed by former acting Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, T. Nandakumar.

Former vice-chancellor of Tezpur University, M.K. Choudhary is a member of the committee which will probe the allegations levelled against Pandey.

After the agreement was approved by the Union HRD minister, the Manipur University community suspended its agitation on August 23.

TNT News with The Telegraph inputs

Featured Image: Imphal Free Press