NUTA takes NU crisis to President

 

Dimapur, March 19 (MExN): The Nagaland University Teachers’ Association today submitted a memorandum to President of India Pratibha Patil as part of the university teachers’ demand for NU vice chancellor Prof. K Kannan’s removal. A copy of the lengthy memorandum addressed to president Patil was received here today.
The NUTA reiterated that the vice  chancellor is under CBI scanner but has been carrying out vendetta against NUTA leaders who rose against  corruption  and serious irregularities. He has even issued successive show-cause notices and illegally suspended three teachers for the second time, the NUTA said. The vice chancellor has shown total intolerance to public criticism and tried to stifle the teachers’ fundamental right to criticize  and freedom of speech, the teachers said.
The association then said that the VC, as chairman of the Executive Council, denied the three teachers to appeal and confiscated copies of the representations to the Executive Council members at the 22nd and 23rd Executive Council meetings on 7th December 2009 and 13th February 2010.
The VC’s action is a serious violation of the Nagaland University Act, Statute 13, Clause (xii) in Powers and Functions of the Executive Council “to entertain, adjudicate upon and if thought fit to redress any grievances of the employees and students of the  university who may, for any reasons, feel aggrieved,” NUTA said. Prof. K Kannan also manipulated the   minutes of the 22nd EC meeting of December 7, 2009 and minutes of the 23rd Executive Council meeting, the NUTA said. “It is on record that six Executive Council members, namely Prof. D.P.Chaturvedi, Nagaland University, Dr. K Punyu, Principal, College of Education, Govt. of Nagaland, Mr. Akang Ao, Principal, Kohima Law College, Prof. Imtisungba, Dean of Humanities, Prof. AK Mishra, Dean of School of Social Sciences and Dr. Vishnu Saran, Reader, SASRD, have raised their objections to the wrong record of proceedings on suspension of teachers, in the 23rd EC meeting minutes,” the NUTA informed.
The NUTA demanded immediate action against the VC for rampant violation of the University Act and Statutes, providing willful false information to the MHRD and Visitor, including manipulations  and threats to the Executive Council members in  successive EC meetings. “We also demand stringent action on the  vice  chancellor for victimization, harassment and defamation of these three NUTA leaders , as per the law.
The NUTA reiterates that the illegal suspensions and victimization of NUTA leaders are proof of his vendetta and continued threats on our Fundamental rights as citizens,” the NUTA said.  Issues of ‘anomalies’ in the CBI inquiry was also raised. “The investigating agency has been entertained by the Vice Chancellor with sight seeing trip, hospitality and use of university vehicles which is highly questionable. We demand that Your Excellency take cognizance of the NUTA representation to the Director CBI and necessary action be taken on the Vice Chancellor,” the association said.
The teachers also strongly objected to false statements of the Vice Chancellor in various platforms and meetings about militancy and threats in the university. It is on record that university employees and teachers have not been taxed by any militant group till date, NUTA said. “Using militancy, threats and difficult terrain as excuses for lack of development and accountability by Prof. K Kannan is highly questionable. In Nagaland, where the fragility of the Peace process is a major concern of not only university teachers but the whole Naga society, it is unbecoming and unacceptable that the Vice Chancellor himself is responsible for providing false information and making such irresponsible statements,” the NUTA explained
The association said the very representations submitted by the NUTA to the Visitor and the MHRD, during the tenure of Prof. K Kannan clearly proves his complete failure and inability to steer the university with academic vision and accountability.
“Prof. K Kannan is also not only under the CBI Inquiry directed by Your Excellency on financial corruption and irregularities, but faces serious charges of moral turpitude and criminal offence in the FIRs filed by the teachers  in the North Police Station Case No,101/09, Kohima and a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act,1989). Petitions on harassment at the work place on lady teachers, has also been filed with the National Commission for Women and the Nagaland State Women Commission,” the NUTA added.