Manipur: Dhanamanjuri University Students Sit on Hunger Strike as Future of 10,000 Students Hang In Balance

DMU has been facing unprecedented disruption due to the prolonged absence of key administrative personnel, including the Vice Chancellor

Amid the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, the academic future of more than 10,000 students at Dhanamanjuri University in Imphal is uncertain due to the long-term absence of key administrative officials.

Dhanamanjuri University has been facing unprecedented disruption due to the prolonged absence of key administrative personnel, including the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and Exam Controller.

Students have continuously appealed to Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, the Education Commissioner, and the Manipur Governor for the appointment of regular administrative staff. Still, concrete actions were only initiated recently following a meeting with the Governor.

The absence of administrative personnel has triggered widespread student protests, leading to class suspensions, exam cancellations, and delays in issuing vital educational certificates.

Tensions escalated when 15 students began a hunger strike on July 9th at the Administrative Block, demanding immediate resolution of their grievances. However, their peaceful protest was met with adversity as Manipur Police detained them yesterday, only to release them early this morning at 3:30 am.

Despite these challenges, the students remain steadfast in their call for urgent government intervention to protect the educational rights and futures of the university’s 10,000 students.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Bimol Akoijam has lashed out at the state government for jeopardizing the future of students at Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) due to the absence of permanent staff.

Speaking to the media, Akoijam highlighted the decline in standards at DMU, once a leading institution in northeast India, following its elevation to university status in 2017.

He asserted that the government had neglected the essential standards required to operate a fully functional university and stressed the importance of preserving DMU’s autonomy to benefit Manipur and its students.

Also Read: Manipur CM chairs crucial meet with ruling MLAs to restore peace in the state

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