Imphal: The students, teachers and staff of Manipur University have thanked the human resource development ministry for suspending Manipur University vice-chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey.

The HRD ministry on Monday suspended Pandey through an order issued by the Union home ministry deputy secretary Surat Singh.

The varsity community has thanked the Centre for taking the action, though late. It also thanked the Manipur government for its initiative that resulted in the suspension of the vice-chancellor. It also demanded that Pandey vacate his official quarters at Sanjenthong Imphal.

The varsity community also thanked those who supported the agitation demanding the ouster of Pandey. "We hope we will continue to get the support until Pandey is terminated from his posts," said Manipur University Teachers' Association executive member M. Sanatomba.

The suspension order said because of a long-drawn agitation by the students and teachers, the university was in a state of turmoil. "The government of Manipur has informed that the protests against Pandey has led to serious law-and-order problems and administrative crises in the state. With a view to resolve the impasse created by the agitating students and teachers association, an inquiry committee consisting of former acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya T. Nandakumar Singh and former vice-chancellor of Tezpur University M.K. Choudhary was constituted, vide the ministry's order on August 17."

"The agitation in the University temporarily ended on August 22 after a period of 85 days and Manipur University started functioning the next day with Pandey proceeding on leave. Resuming his duties, Pandey further vitiated the atmosphere of the university," the order said.

Pandey on September 4 claimed that he had resumed his duties after the completion of 30 days' leave that began on August 2. He said he had not received any letter for extension of leave though the university's registrar (in-charge) Sh. Dorendrajit Singh said Pandey's leave had been extended from September 1 until the completion of the inquiry and follow-up action was taken on the inquiry report.

"The President in his capacity as the visitor of Manipur University on consideration of material on record and taking into account the volatile law-and-order situation on the campus and in exercise of powers conferred on him under provisions of Statute 13(1) of the Statutes of the Manipur University Act, 2005, read with Section 16 of the General Clause Act, 1897 is pleased to place Pandey under suspension with immediate effect and till completion of the inquiry and action to be taken thereon in the interest of justice for free and fair inquiry," the order said.