MANUU students union disagree to turn university premises into quarantine facility
Hyderabad: The students union of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) has opposed the decision to turn the university into a quarantine facility in the state, saying such a move would badly affect the lives of the students living in the varsity hostels.
MANUU on March 19 received a notice from the deputy collector which stated, "The deputy collector and tahsildar, Serilingampally Mandal is hereby authorized to take over the possession of the Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Gachibowli from the authorized representative of the university and hand over to director of medical and education department, Telangana state, for developing as quarantine building for the suspected International travellers from COVID-19 (corona) affected countries under Section 30 of Disaster Management Act, 2005."
Regarding this, the MANUU Students Union president Umar Faruq, along with Teachers Association, Employees Association, Officers Association representatives had a meeting with the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the varsity.
Speaking over phone, Faruq said, "We strongly oppose the decision to make a quarantine centre in MANUU and if it happens what about those students who still are in hostels? Whose responsibility (will it be) if any of our students, staff or others get infected by COVID-19?"
"Also, quarantine centres should be made at isolated areas whereas our campus is surrounded with residential areas. What about the belongings of students who left for their homes? I have requested the vice chancellor and registrar to convey MANUU fraternity's message to the state government," he added.
He further said that he later submitted a letter to the registrar of the University stating the same.
In the letter, he stated that "more than 500 students are in university campus who have not left for their homes, due to financial issues and difficulties in booking tickets and because of cancellation of trains."
"We stand with the government in dealing with Covid-19, but we cannot put the lives of our students in danger... Therefore, we strongly request your kind self to look into the matter and not to handover the university for quarantine purposes. If they still go on with the plan, then they will be responsible for any kind (of) mishappening," he added.
