The infighting between the Non-teaching Employees' Association and the Magadh University administration came to the fore on Tuesday after 11 officials tendered their resignation over the alleged misbehaviour of some members of the association.

The senior officials of Magadh University who resigned include registrar Sitaram Singh, proctor Nand Kishore Yadav, examination controller Israel Khan, college development council coordinator Upendra Nath Verma and college inspector (science) Shailendra Kumar.

The resignations followed a high-voltage confrontation, and when vice-chancellor Mohammed Ishtiaq was not in his office.

Sources said on Tuesday morning some non-teaching employees led by their association secretary Amarnath Pathak reached the campus in support of their demands.

As the VC was not in his chamber, the association members reached the registrar's office.

Amarnath said: "We had gone to his office, seeking information on pending promotion issue of non-teaching members. The registrar, however, said he had no power in promotion of non-teaching employees."

Alleging that the registrar had created a mess at the varsity, Amarnath claimed that Sitaram Singh, working as assistant professor, was promoted as associate professor a few months ago.

"However, Sitaram's promotion letter was signed by Sitaram himself," Amarnath said.

Sitaram denied the allegations and said he would resign from his post if the charges levelled against him were found true. Later, Sitaram called a meeting of all officials and announced his resignation. The other officials too decided to resign.

However, Sitaram said: "Senior officials of Magadh University decided to resign from their posts due to growing interference by non-teaching employees."

He also alleged that Amarnath and other non-teaching employees were shouting slogans against the VC and other officials.

Sitaram claimed that Amarnath also used "unparliamentary language" against the registrar and other officials.

Pro-vice-chancellor Kriteshwar Prasad said: "The university officials' decision to resign en masse is a decision taken in haste. If the university officials, including registrar, had any problem they should have informed me."

The vice-chancellor has convened a meeting over the issue.