Imphal, May 01 2009: THE MANIPURI Students' Federation (MSF) has registered its opposition over the decision to abolish the Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) which has been constituted by elected students and its subsequent proposal to constitute a Students' Council by the authority which had already been published in newspapers.

A press statement issued by the MSF General Secretary In-charge, H Chandradhon stated that there has been an elected students' body conventionally in every academic institution to practice the tradition of democratic set-up.

The MSF observes the move taken up by the MU authority that contrasts with the democratic tradition and view it as a challenge to democracy, the statement stated.

It asserts that the foundation of a students' body has been authorised by an order of the Supreme Court based on the recommendation of Lyngdoh Commission while also pointing out that there has been an order issued by the MU authority validating the Supreme Court order and adding that election has been conducted on the basis of that order, the statement pointed out.

It also mentioned that the Chancellor of the University Prof PN Srivastava's statement on May 1 that a students' union election can be held within a statute of the University and after reflecting the same in the University Act.

Alleging the VC and Registrar of conspiring, the MSF statement termed the act of abolishing the elected MUSU as an act in personal interest without thinking the future's leaders.

Asking who will be held responsible for the amount sanction during the time of four MU presidents since its conversion to Central University, the statement also further questions whether there is a reason not to term the authority who sanction the amount as 'criminal?'.

Appealing the MU authority to withdraw its decision, the MSF statement warns that it will launch various forms of agitation in collaboration with the university's students.

Meanwhile, the Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) 'President,' Ph Ibosana in a separate press statement disproves the annulment of elected MUSU by the VC and Registrar through newspapers.

It said that MUSU will not work against the will of the students and will stand against any force that comes in opposition to it.

It said that the VC considers the students of the university as handy deity which could be placed anywhere one likes in trying to abolish MUSU and its subsequent endeavour to constitute a Students' Council.

It asserts that the VC refuses to acknowledge MUSU knowing well that the students' body had began observing closely the move of the MU authority who works beyond the interest of the students.

It has been long that the amount sanctioned for the students of the university as fellowship being diverted for the contractors, the statement asserts.

It asks how much amount of money sanctioned for the university library has been spent for the purchase of books while stating that the books purchased during the presidentship of Ksh Narayan have not been used by the students yet.

It further stated that MUSU will impose a ban on contract works in MU until the fellowships meant for the students are released while also informing all contractors who work without 'work order' to give in to MUSU within three days time to collect information.

It also cautioned that if the authority fails to release the monthly and annually entitlement of the students within three days from today, MUSU will launch intense agitation.

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