Editor,
On June 25, 2021, an FIR was filed in the Women’s Police Station, Tura, against the present Dean of the College of Community Science (formerly Home Science), Central Agricultural University, Tura, for exploiting two female employees by making them do forced domestic work and body massages.
As ex-students of the college, we condemn the incident and we stand in solidarity with the victims. We demand from the police and the government to take strict action against this present Dean, who even during our student days, was prejudiced particularly against the students and staff of the local community.
We are not surprised that this issue has come out in the open because the Dean lacks basic manners and etiquette. When we were studying in the college we noticed that during class hours with students who opted for her subject as an elective course, she would sit with her legs raised on top of her table. We also witnessed some staff members massaging her legs inside her office chamber during office hours. Many times they also gave her pedicures. So judging from her past behaviour, the accusations that she forced a female security guard to massage her body including her private parts is probably true.
But what surprises us is the delay in suspending the Dean. Why is CAU, Imphal still supporting an accused person? Why isn’t she suspended until the police inquiry is over? Their inaction is different from the incident of sexual exploitation in the College of Post Graduate Studies, Umiam in February this year, where the Dean was removed within two days of the filing of an FIR because of the involvement of strong Khasi NGOs and pressure groups.
We appeal to the NGOs of Garo Hills to demand the suspension of the accused Dean, so that CAU, Imphal can act soon.
