Assam University spread the call for peace in Manipur

way2barak, July 22: Assam University, Silchar, under the auspices of the AUTA (Assam University Teachers’ Association), organised a peaceful gathering in front of the University main gate on July, 21 in the evening and lit several candles to spread the message of the urgent need for peace in crisis-torn Manipur. The peaceful meet also observed two minutes of silence to mark their respects for the departed. Having lost more than 150 lives till date, several hundreds severely injured, and thousands rendered homeless in the ongoing spate of ethnic clashes that erupted on May 3, another horrific blow was added when the video of the two women being paraded naked and gangraped emerged recently.

To strongly condemn this brutal act, and also to join and spread the call for peace in Manipur, AUTA organised this solidarity meet wherein the teaching and non-teaching fraternity stood together along with the students of the University. The  Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant, expressed his deep anguish and said that the entire country is ashamed of what has happened and strongly condemned the deplorable act. He added that such things must not happen in civilized society. He urged everyone present to take a pledge that one must not remain silent spectators and ensure an environment where such things do not happen. He lamented that the Northeast never had such a kind of culture and urged upon all to revisit our value systems. He eulogised the strong sense of brotherhood in the region and expressed dismay as to what has gone wrong. The Vice Chancellor also emphasised with deep anguish that the seven sisters of the Northeast or “AshtaLakhsmi” must not treat each other in this painful manner. Prof. Pant also extended his prayers for peace to be restored at the earliest as he added that Manipur is the land of jewels and is not only the pride of the Northeast, but of the entire nation. He also expressed his appreciation to AUTA and the AUS fraternity for rising to the occasion and expressing solidarity with Manipur. Furthermore, the President of AUTA, Dr. Amalendu Chakraborty, also strongly condemned the barbaric act and urged upon the Government, both at the centre and the state of Manipur, to take strong measures to ensure that peace and normalcy be restored in Manipur immediately. He also called for the strictest action and ensure exemplary punishment be meted out to the culprits. The General Secretary, AUTA, Dr. Amit Das, profusely thanked everyone who came forward to express their solidarity in this dark period that Manipur is going through.