IMPHAL, Oct 22 - With the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor (in-charge) in crisis-ridden Manipur University, the university authority on Saturday decided that the normal classes of the varsity will resume from October 31.
The decision was taken following a meeting of Deans and Head of departments today, according to a source from the University. The meeting also reportedly decided to complete the process of admission to various courses by October 29 and the classes to be started from October 31.
For the academic session 2016-17, the university is likely to follow the reservation policy as per the resolution of the emergency meeting of the academic council of the Manipur University held on October 8 this year. Accordingly, there will be 15 per cent reservation for SCs, 7.5 per cent for STs and 27 per cent for the other backward classes, the sources added.
However, the academic atmosphere in the University continues to remain at a stand-still with student bodies firm on their respective demands.
The classes of the university has been disturbed since the past couple of months following different opinions on the reservation policy on admission process. Protesting the decision of the academic council, Manipur University Tribal Students� Union (MUTSU) had staged a protest march in Imphal on October 13 demanding justice in the reservation policy. It has been urging the Academic Council to follow and implement the Central Educational Institutions Reservation in Admission Amendment Act, 2012.
The seniormost professor of the University, Prof Amar Yumnam has been appointed as VC(in-charge) following the resignation of Prof Th Jekendra from the post. Earlier, Prof W Vishwanath declined the offer of VC in-charge post.
Newmai News adds: Following the University�s decision to endorse the Academic Council�s resolution to sustain the Central Educational Institution (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 in the varsity, more troubles are expected as tribal students say they cannot accept it.
Informing this tonight, tribal student leaders said they cannot accept the move of the varsity authority. �We will be having an emergency meeting and chalk out the next course of action,� they said. The emergency meeting is likely to be held on Sunday.
The tribal students community rejects implementation of the Act saying the ST population in Manipur is 40 percent and hence the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Amended Act, 2012 under which they are entitled to get 31 percent of the reservation seats should be implemented.
Demanding a solution to the current reservation row, students of Manipur University staged a sit-in protest and relay hunger strike in front of the institute�s main gate on Saturday.
