In view of the recent disruption of activities at the Icfai University campus, the Varsity wishes to announce further postponement of classes from January 31st. The dates for resumption of classes will be announced shortly. “This step has been taken keeping in view the violent and non-cooperative attitude of a certain segment of faculty members. Former IUT Vice Chancellor Dr. R.K. Patnaik and former IUT pro Vice Chancellor Mr. J.J. Kawle had to quit recently because of the violent nature of this segment of IUT staff members,” said an official communiqué from Icfai University Tripura. Post the incident, Icfai University management had sent representatives from Hyderabad to Agartala to sort out the issue. Prof. Ajay Pathak, Mr. Sunil Shah and Mr. Surojit Chatterjee gave a representation to the IUT faculty members regarding the clauses laid down by the management for resuming classes. However, their presence was met with violent protests. The representatives were gheraod and abused continuously.

Some of the faculty members disrupted communication lines and even threatened the representatives. This life-threatening circumstance was finally resolved when the local police intervened and rescued all three representatives and escorted them to the airport. However, this is not the first time that the agitated section of the faculty members tried to sabotage the proceedings of the University. On January 2nd, the terminated faculty and staff of IUT stormed the offices of the Vice Chancellor and started a ruckus by destroying University property. The faculty members even disrupted essential services such as the internet, electricity, etc. The students were restricted from entering the campus and the confusion let to fights between them. Post the incident, the faculty has continuously disrupted every and any attempt of initiating mutual discussion by the management.“We cannot take any chance with the lives of our colleagues as safety is more important than education. But, we want to assure everyone that we are trying our best to solve the crisis. Our primary responsibility is still the students and we are working to initiate the academic process as fast as possible. We are looking into other options of holding classes for the students, and the dates of commencement of classes will be announced shortly,” said the official communiqué.

-TT