NUTA demands ‘corruption-free’ NU

 

Kohima | September 1 : Nagaland university teachers today took out a silent procession here demanding the revocation of suspension orders issued to 10 members of the NUTA’s CEC as well as removal of the vice chancellor, registrar and controller of examination, Nagaland University. The teachers let their placards and written slogans say it for them. Some placards queried where justice was, others expressed desire to have a corruption-free NU, while still many pulled up Kannan for being a “dalal” and for undermining the Nagas, and the university.
The procession started from the NU office and culminated at Raj Bhavan where the NUTA submitted a memorandum to Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, Chief Rector of Nagaland University.
In the memorandum, which was addressed to the President of India Pratibha Patil, the Visitor of Nagaland University, and endorsed to Human Resources Minister Arjun Singh, the teachers demanded immediate intervention into the “illegal suspension of ten Central Executive Council NUTA members by the Vice Chancellor Prof. K. Kannan, with no valid reason whatsoever, on the 25th August 08 and 29th August, 2008 respectively.”
“It is shocking, that in the midst of a Visitorial Inquiry and smooth academic activities of completing semester courses and preparations for new admissions, the Vice Chancellor issued the first illegal suspension orders against the president and secretary general of CEC, NUTA. His refusal to allow the delegation of teachers from all three campuses, to meet him for revocation of the orders on 26th August 08, even after waiting for three hours outside his chamber, has led to total academic cease work by the NUTA since 27th August 08.
He has further suspended eight more executive members of the apex body of NUTA on the 29th August 2008,” the memorandum said. All these are “illegal developments of harassment, victimization and personal vendetta against teachers, and the earlier allegations against him and others, based on prima facie evidence,” the NUTA said and reiterated the demand for Prof. K. Kannan’s immediate removal from the post of vice chancellor of Nagaland University.
The teachers also demanded the immediate removal of the Registrar of Nagaland University, Thejao Vihienuo “on charges of ineligibility for the present post and corruption.” Likewise, the Controller of Examination, Tongpang Ao should be removed “on charges of ineligibility for the said post and corruption.”
“All necessary documentary evidence has been submitted to your Excellency’s esteemed office, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, as well as to the Fact-Finding Committee, during their visit to Nagaland University,” the memorandum said.
The teachers stated to be most unfortunate that in the last 14 years, “Nagaland University has suffered from corruption, manipulation, violations of the university Act and statutes in the hands of successive vice chancellors and corrupt officials.” “As teachers, we are concerned for the future and development of the university and it is very discouraging that the central government has always ignored such voices against corruption and streamlining the university system,” the NUTA said.
Also stating that “corruption in the education system must not be seen as a way of life, it has to be discouraged at all levels,” the memorandum said “We believe we are the voice of conscience of our society and unless we stand up against such corruption, it will destroy the very fabric of our future generation.”