Teachers and students of Manipur University on Sunday demanded the release of those arrested for allegedly opposing professor K. Yugindro for taking over the vice-chancellor’s office as the pro vice-chancellor.

The university community, student bodies and the committee of political parties asked how former vice-chancellor Adya Prasad Pandey, who was forced to go on leave, can serve a notice to appoint a pro vice-chancellor.

The committee said the notice issued to Pandey on September 10 by the HRD ministry is null and void as it was provided when he was on forced leave.

Chancellor Dilip Nachane on September 3 had issued a notice that said the senior-most professor of the university — W. Vishwanath Singh of life sciences department — shall continue to perform the duties of the vice-chancellor. However, at this juncture, Yugindro claimed to be the pro vice-chancellor and took over the vice-chancellor’s office on Friday.

Vishwanath said on Thursday night and Friday morning many teachers and students were picked up by police forcibly from their residences.

The police allegedly entered the university hostel and arrested the students. Faced with resistance, the police fired tear gas shells, which injured some students.

“It is unfortunate and I would like to request the authorities concerned to release the arrested teachers and students unconditionally. I also heard that the teachers have been suspended and it would be good if their suspension is revoked so that normality is restored in the varsity,” Vishwanath said.

Yugindro alleged that 89 students and six teachers were picked up by the police.

Altogether five teachers and 10 students were produced before the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West, on Friday . Of them, seven students and six teachers were remanded in 15 days’ judicial custody. Two students were remanded in police custody till Tuesday.

“The authorities concerned should follow the memorandum of agreement signed with the university community and it should be respected. If somebody has broken the agreement, the person should be questioned by the authorities,” Vishwanath said.

“The arrests of teachers and students and deploying security forces on the campus have vitiated the academic atmosphere,” said Congress member and convener of the committee, R.K Anand.

“Who will take responsibility for the harassment caused to students by security forces and their presence on the campus?” asked former vice-chancellor of Manipur University and former Congress MLA Ng Bijoy.