Nagaland varsity official quits

Kohima, Nov 28 : In a surprise move, the registrar of Nagaland University, P.K. Naik, has resigned.

Sources told The Telegraph that Naik had already submitted his resignation and left the university campus at Lumami, around 160 km from here.

Although the reason for his resignation was not known, the finance officer of the university, B.K. Mohanty, has been given charge of registrar till the new appointment takes place.

Naik took over as the registrar of NU two years back but the Nagaland University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) has implicated him in several corruption charges. They have demanded that the Centre initiate punitive action against the registrar and vice- chancellor K. Kannan.

The Post-Graduate Students’ Union is protesting against the university’s failure to address their demands and has asked the rector of the university (who is also the Governor of Nagaland) to intervene. Yesterday, hundreds of students organised a rally and later submitted a memorandum to the Governor, Nikhil Kumar.

Today, the students of Nagaland University also met the Governor and apprised him of the necessity to provide them with the basic infrastructure and facilities.

The students have also demanded a pro-vice chancellor on the Kohima campus.

The controversy-ridden Nagaland University appears to be headed for another shutdown with university teachers threatening another stir from November 29 demanding action against vice-chancellor Kannan.

In an ultimatum submitted to the visitor of the university, President Pratibha Patil, NUTA demanded immediate action against Kannan and other officers.

for allegedly indulging in corruption and continuous violation of the University Act, statutes and ordinance.

The NUTA ultimatum, signed by its president Rosemary Dzuvichu and secretary general N. Venuh, demanded action by November 29, failing which the association would resort to the future course of action.

They have demanded a fresh, free and impartial probe by CBI into all financial irregularities and corruption in the university and asked that the records of all university officers be scanned. The NUTA had earlier rejected the inquiry report submitted by CBI. They consider the report “false and biased” as the CBI had not investigated the cases of the majority officers including that of Kannan. The teacher’s association claimed that the earlier three CBI visits in March, September and November 2009 were fruitless.