Former Dean Prof Islamuddin assassinated inside MU campus
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 25 2009: Unidentified gunmen shot dead Proctor of Manipur University Prof Md Islamuddin inside the campus of the University at around noon today.

To protest the killing which has sent has shock waves across the State, Pangal Students' Organisation (PSO), Manipur has called a 24-hour State wide bandh with effect from midnight today.

Information culled from the site of the crime said that three persons on two Kinetic Honda scooters were seen coming from the side of boys's hotel.

The Kinetic Honda in front was driven by only one person while the other two persons were on the second Kinetic Honda following close behind.

The locked second main gate of MU, the mortal remains of Prof Islamuddin at RIMS, policemen checking the students near the Mens' hostel and Chief Minister O Ibobi fielding questions from the media at MU

A student eye-witness who was present not very far from the site of the crime informed that Prof Islamuddin was coming out from his room and heading towards his car parked at the vehicle shed located in front of the road to the east of Economics Department and northwest of the University library when around three persons approached Md Islamuddin and took him along the footpath leading to the Library.

Not long after that gun shots were heard and Prof Islamuddin was seen dropping down to his knees after being shot on his leg.

While Prof Islamuddin was in that position, the unidentified gunmen shot two more rounds and he fell to the ground in a heap.

Soon after committing the crime, one of the gunmen slipped the gun inside the tool box of the Kinetic Honda underneath the seat and all three of them left driving their Kinetic Hondas towards the boys's hotel, said the witness.

Police said that one of the Kinetic Hondas used by the killers belong to a student of the University.

Prof Islamuddin was immediately rushed to RIMS Hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead at around 12.35 pm.

A Professor of Economics, Md Islamuddin was the Dean of Students' Welfare of the University before taking over the charge of Proctor.

In connection with the incident, president of Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) Maibam Ranjit said he was informed about a man lying dead and when he went to inspect it turned out to be Prof Islamuddin.

Immediately, Prof Islamuddin was taken to RIMS Hospital in his car but he could not be saved.

A resident of Yairipok Changamdabi Mathak Leikai, Prof Islamuddin was 50 years of age.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter.

All his children are studying outside the State and he was staying along with his wife in the quarters allotted to him inside the University campus.

There were two fatal bullet marks on the left side of the stomach.

There was also a bullet mark on his left thigh.

Strongly condemning the the killing, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has assured that the killers, whether they be members of UG groups or student bodies, would not be spared.

Talking to mediapersons at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital where he had come to share the grief of the family members, Ibobi said killing of a Professor inside the campus of an educational institution which is not unthinkable even during war is an act of cowardice that can be committed only by some brazen criminals.

The Chief Minister expressed apprehension that such senseless violences not only cause disturbance in the developmental activities of the State but may also discourage the Government of India from the efforts of setting up of NIT, IIT or IIIT in the State or the sites of these projects may be shifted to other North Eastern States.

Education Minister L Jayantakumar said that killing of a University Professor could have been carried out only by those who do not think about the welfare of the students.

Works Minister K Ranjit, MOBC Minister Md Allauddin Khan, PDA Chairman Kh Loken, MLA I Ibohalbi and MLA Th Lokeshore also visited the RIMS morgue.

Condemning the killing, MUTA president Maibam Ranjit said such incidents should not have been carried out inside the campus of any educational institution.

A meeting of the Association would be convened on coming Wednesday to discuss the issue, he informed.

Meanwhile, in protest against the killing, Pangal Students' Organisation (PSO), Manipur has called a 24-hour State wide bandh with effect from midnight today and announced indefinite closure of Administrative Block of Manipur University.

Announcing this while talking to mediapersons, PSO president Md Zakir Hussein categorically stated that the Government of Manipur should be held responsible for any consequences of the agitation to be launched.

The Government should also rope in the service of the CBI to investigate into the killing, he demanded, while urging all concerned to come out with a clarification over the killing.