IMPHAL, Oct 2 - Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh convened the first round of talk with representatives of the Manipur University Teachers� Association (MUTA) and the Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) at the Chief Minister�s secretariat here last evening. The talks are aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis in the Manipur University.
The MUTA laid down conditions for continuing the dialogue with the State Government during the two-hour meeting on Monday, sources said. The conditions include immediate and unconditional release of all persons arrested in connection with the varsity crisis, withdrawal of security forces deployed inside the varsity campus and suspension of search operations being launched to arrest agitating students, teachers and staff.
The MUTA representatives also expressed displeasure over the issue of suspension orders to some teachers and staff during the meeting, which was mediated by a few journalists, an official who was present on the occasion stated.
Responding to the request, the Chief Minister assured that the Government would withdraw the security personnel from the university campus, besides halting the search operations against agitators.
Meanwhile, girl students staying in Manipur University hostels, who have been staging a relay hunger strike since September 24, urged the State Government to immediately release the arrested university students and faculty members without any precondition and also to restore normalcy by withdrawing security forces from the university campus.
The Manipur University has been embroiled in fresh turmoil after the police raid on the boys� hostels in the intervening night of September 20 and 21 following a complaint from the Vice Chancellor.
The university � which had remained closed for almost three months in view of the total shutdown clamped by the Manipur University Students� Union since May 30, demanding removal of Vice Chancellor Prof AP Pandey on charges of irregularities � resumed its normal activities from August 23 after a Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the Government on August 16.
