Manipur Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh paying a visit to the RIMS morgue in Imphal where the dead body of Islammudin Khan, a former dean of Manipur University was sent for post mortem. The former dean of MU was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Monday, May 25 at the Manipur University Campus. (UB Photo)
Raising voice against the brutal act, the Pangal Students’ Organisation, Manipur (PSOM) today closed the Administrative Block of the University indefinitely and has called a 24-hour state wide bandh from the midnight of Monday to the midnight of Tuesday. The PSOM has also called on the state government to look into the matter and punish the culprit befittingly.
Meanwhile, interacting with the media persons at the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) where the lifeless body of the 55-year old former dean was deposited Monday, the chief minister asserted the culprits involved in the killing would not be spared in any case. Asserting further that even if a person was guilty, such acts are not done anywhere in the world, especially in the premises of educational departments, hospitals and religious places, Singh observed the deed was a shame and a humiliation to the people of Manipur to the world.
The chief minister also warned the processes to upgrade the university with courses like Information Technology and even national institute of technology (NIT) which is on talks with the Government of India could be affected and even revoked if such violence persists.
Farooque Ahmad, a family member of the deceased informed the incident occurred when Islamuddin was having a cup of tea after having completed his class. He was shot in the head near the library, stated Ahmad adding the three culprits escaped on two Kinetic Hondas. He also informed that the former dean had earlier dropped his Farhana Begum, a government primary teacher at Waikhom Leikai which is located opposite to the university. He is survived by a daughter and two sons who are studying outside the state, added Ahmad. Farooque also revealed that the deceased professor had requested to resign before the recently held election of the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU) but was rejected by the vice chancellor of the MU who, however, accepted the resignation after the election was over. It’s been 25 day since he resigned, added Farooque.
Also condemning the act, education minister L. Jayenta Kumar asserted such act was degrading the morale and status of the students belonging to various communities. Opining the incident as disheartening and disappointing, the education minister asked what everyone would do if the teachers deny teaching the students ever. Narayan, former president of MUSU, condemning the incident appealed such acts are not repeated and opined the incident occurred owing to the security lapse.