Tura, Sept 15: The Mothers’ Union organization of Tura has raised strong objections with the Central Agriculture University, the authority under which Tura’s College of Community Science functions, for siding with the Dean of the College who stands accused of harassment of its casual workers.

The Central Agriculture University, Imphal, has written to the Dean of the College of Community Science, formerly known as Tura Home Science College, directing Dr Pushpita Das- Dean of the college, who stands accused of harassing her staff, to submit to the university “mental disturbance” certificates against two lady casual workers who have pressed charges against her for the harassment meted out to them.

The Dean in charge, Dr Pushpita Das, is accused in a formal complaint lodged by a lady security guard and a health attendant of making them do menial work beyond their duty, including giving body massages to her.

“From cleaning her house, tending to the garden, cleaning the toilets, and even having to wake up at 4:30 in the morning to provide her with morning tea before she makes us give her body massages, we have been suffering for months,” said one of the lady victims whose original work was providing security for the female inmates of the college.

Mothers’ Union organization, which has taken up the plight of the two women employees, has accused the university of being insensitive to the female employees who have been targeted by the Dean.

“How can the Local Complaint Committee of the college provide justice to the victims when it falls under the authority of the Dean who is the college head. And on what grounds can the Dean issue a certificate of ‘mental disturbance’ to the two victims? This is highly condemnable and we will fight the case,” said Mothers’ Union president, Sume C B Sangma.