Manipur Police conduct midnight raid at MU campus; allegedly took 90 students, 5 faculty into custody

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 21: In a major crackdown at Manipur University, 200 strong forces of the Manipur Police commandos stormed the University hostel at midnight. Reportedly, as many as 90 students and around five faculty members have been taken into custody.

The action is being touted as a result of ongoing protest in the varsity campus, which has been going on for over three months, thus, bringing day-to-day functioning of the university to a halt.

As per reports, during the midnight raid the police also fired tear gas cells and resorted to lathi charge in which several students have suffered injuries.

Besides raiding hostels, the police also raided the faculty quarters and picked up five of them. It has also been reported that residences of the professors residing outside the university campus have also been raided.

One of the students of the university said that the students were asleep in their hostels when police stormed the campus. Manipur police fired mock bombs and tear gas shells in the middle of the night which was undemocratic and shameful.

It has also been reported that the internet services have been banned now in Imphal, because of Manipur University crisis.

The MU students have been protesting since June this year demanding incumbent Vice Chancellor’s removal. The students have alleged that Prof Adya Prasad Pandey has committed serious administrative and financial irregularities by misusing his powers.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has constituted a fact finding committee headed by former Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court to probe into allegations levelled against the VC.

On September 17, the President of India suspended Prof Pandey from the post of Vice Chancellor till enquiry against him is being carried out.