Shortcomings galore at Govt Polytechnic MHRC takes up suo moto case

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 4 : The Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has initiated a suo moto case regarding several issues at the Government Polytechnic at Takyelpat such as shortage of teachers and staff, lack of a safe hostel for girl students and frequent theft of vehicles and equipment.
The MHRC issued notices to the relevant Government officials, seeking their response and action plan to address these concerns following a proceeding before its Acting Chairperson Kangjam Khagendra Singh yesterday.
The case was taken up under Protection of Human  Rights Act, 1993 based on the report published by The Sangai Express under the headline "Fill vacancies by Sep 8 or else will shut college : Polytechnic students" on August 29.
The notice urged Principal Secretary/Commissioner (Higher Secondary), Imphal West SP and Officer in-Charge of Lamphel police station to submit their response before the Commission by September 18.
The Commission said that they found vacant staff posts, an unsafe girls' hostel and security concerns during an onsite inspection following the news report.
Saying that several teaching and non-teaching staff posts have remained unfilled for years, impacting classes, labs, and administrative functions, it added that the girls' hostel of the institution is also unsafe.
Despite the hostel's ceiling and plaster having fallen, injuring multiple girls, no effective repairs or safety measures have been implemented, the Commission said and added that they also noted security issues, including frequent theft of vehicles and equipment.
A police outpost is stationed within the institution's campus, yet the security situation remains unsatisfactory, it added.
Apart from the Government Polytechnic College, the campus also houses the Civil Engineering Department of Manipur Technical University and the girls' hostel and Director's Quarter of the National Institute of Technology, the Commission said.
Considering the seriousness of the issues, the MHRC urged the Government officials concerned to submit their response by September 18.
The matter has been listed for further proceeding on September 19.