The hunger strike being staged at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) by students entered its fifth day today.
The NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU unit went on a hunger strike on November 5 demanding the resignation of vice chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla, Registrar Omkar Singh and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta.
Another student of the university Meban Kharmawlong, who is also the publicity secretary of the KSU NEHU unit was taken to the hospital after his health deteriorated.
Kharmawlong was initially referred to Civil Hospital, Shillong but later had to be shifted to North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS). He was admitted to the Neurology department with a past illness of seizures with granuloma in the brain.
The KSU has expressed concern that the leader has fallen ill due to exhaustion and weakness after working tirelessly day and night to ensure that the movement progresses smoothly. “However, despite the illness, his strong spirit continues to inspire and encourage all of us members,” the KSU said in its statement.
It also said that as fellow members, they wish him a speedy recovery and good health, so that he can continue to work with full dedication until their demands are fulfilled.
The protesting students have rejected the Vice-Chancellor’s plea for dialogue.
NEHUSU general secretary Tohino Kharsati made it clear that they would not call off its hunger strike till Shukla resigns from the post of vice chancellor of NEHU.
“The appeal of the Vice Chancellor we feel is another bogus attempt to let the matter and the protest subside. From our side we want to make it very clear that it is no longer about removal of Registrar, Deputy Registrar and all illegal appointments. Since time is over for such a compromise. Right now our main demand is that the Vice Chancellor himself resigns because we don’t have any more confidence in his leadership,” Kharsati said.
He said that despite seeing the students’ health deteriorating the Vice Chancellor is yet to come even to speak on humanitarian grounds.
Meanwhile, the agitating students of the university received support from the Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA) of Hyderabad University.
The ASA in a letter of support to the protesting students of NEHU condemned the Vice Chancellor for his anti-tribal policies and actions, which according to them have cost the university’s infrastructure and made a mockery of social justice.
“Teachers and students allege that very few locals and tribals were recruited as teaching and non-teaching staff on campus during the current VC’s (Vice Chancellor’s) tenure,” the ASA stated in its letter of support.
The association stated that instead the Vice Chancellor has been adamant about recruiting officials with questionable or no academic credentials.
“This is an assault on the social fabric of the university that should reflect regional aspirations and demands,” it stated.
The ASA reiterated the demands of NEHUSU and the KSU NEHU unit to remove the VC, Registrar, and Deputy Registrar.
“We urge the government to scrutinise the recruitment that took place during the tenure of the current VC. We also demand the immediate appointment of a Pro-VC for the Tura campus to fast-track the various infrastructural grievances raised by the students of NEHU,” the ASA stated.
