Normal academic atmosphere was vitiated on Wednesday on the campus of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal as several students, faculties and other employees took out a procession in protest against the controversial suspension of Prof S. Sekharjit, Director of RIMS on Tuesday.
An email sent by Ishwar Singh, Deputy Secretary, ministry of Health and Family Welfare, had suspended the Director and made Prof Chongtham Arunkumar to look after the office in the capacity as Director in charge.
The processionists took out the procession carrying placards demanding justice and saying that the suspension was unjustified. At some points, Armed police personnel tried to stop the processionists. However, the processionists pointed out that the teachers, employees and students of Dental college and College of Nursing and some departments of RIMS were taking out the procession within the campus. The police personnel armed with guns and batons stayed back and did not obstruct the processionists.
Talking to reporters, some faculties said that the Director was said to have been suspended in connection with the purchase of dental chair at exorbitant prices. The CBI is looking into the allegation. The initial complaint with the CBI was that non-working chairs had been bought which turned out to be false. The faculties said that if someone is to be made accountable it is not Director. The purchase committee which had placed orders for the purchase of the dental chairs is headed by an official and not the Director.
On the other hand, the way Prof Arunkumar was made the Direcrtor in charge is against the directives of the Union government. The directive said that a teacher who has crossed 62 years of age cannot be entrusted with any administrative post. Recently, several heads of departments had been removed. Prof Arunkumar who was the Medical Superintendent in charge was relieved of his post since he had crossed 62 years of age. The protesting teachers, employees and students are questioning how he was made the Director in charge.
It was announced that if the suspension and the related matters are not reviewed there would be more agitations.
