The indefinite hunger strike by PhD scholars of Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) entered its sixth day on Monday, with the protesters accusing the Manipur government of maintaining a “stoic silence” over their demand for the release of pending stipends.
Three PhD scholars and a student leader began the hunger strike on September 9 with the support of the Dhanamanjuri University Students’ Union (DMUSU) 2025-26, demanding payment of stipends that have remained pending for several years.
The hunger strikers are Naorem Venus from the Chemistry Department, Yeengal Leima Huidrom from the Manipuri Department and Irom Dimocha from the Economics Department. DMUSU General Secretary Oinam Keba, who has pursued an MSc in Mathematics, has also joined the protest.
Supporters and well-wishers have been visiting the protesters and expressing solidarity as the agitation continues.
Dimocha said the lack of financial assistance was affecting the scholars’ studies and that they had been approaching the government since March for the release of their pending stipends.
He said they had been verbally assured that the stipend would be released in the first week of September. However, during the recently concluded Manipur Assembly session, the Chief Minister reportedly said that the government was still looking for a source of funds to provide the stipend.
“While developed states are thinking about advancing their education systems, students of DMU are struggling even to receive their stipends,” Dimocha said, adding that providing stipends to research scholars should be a mandatory responsibility of the government.
Research scholar Search Joy Khamrang said the demand for release of the pending stipend was genuine and expressed concern over the deteriorating health of the hunger strikers.
He said most scholars come from financially vulnerable backgrounds and that the prolonged lack of financial support was creating mental stress and demoralising them.
Khamrang accused the state government of remaining silent even as the agitation entered its sixth day.
“The silence of the state government has made us feel that we are being neglected and treated in a step-motherly manner,” he said.
Khamrang said the PhD programme at DMU began in 2022, but the scholars had not received stipends to date.
According to the protesters, more than 750 scholars are eligible to receive the stipend.
