The hunger strike being staged at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) by students entered its third day today with three students shifted to hospital due to deterioration of their health condition.
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.
Earlier today, Naphisabet Marweiñ, a female student of the university who is part of the hunger strike was taken to hospital after she experienced weakness.
Later, NEHU general secretary Toniho S. Kharsati and KSU NEHU unit organising secretary Aiboklang Nongsteng were admitted to hospital due to their health condition.
In the afternoon, the protesting students met face to face with Prof. Shukla and shouted slogans calling for his resignation.
Addressing the students, Prof. Shukla said that on the demand to appoint pro-vice chancellors for Shillong and Tura campuses, had had written 4-5 letters to the government of India seeking clarification on the matter.
“Till now I have not received any reply but, in the interest of the community and students I am ready to appoint two pro-vice chancellors for Tura and Shillong campuses,” he said.
Stating that there is a system in appointment of pro-vice chancellor, Prof. Shukla said, “I am trying my best to appoint the pro-vice chancellors next week.”
However, Prof. Shukla urged the protesting students to give him at least ten working days till next week.
The agitating students said that the vice chancellor has been here for three years and now he is asking for three days’ time to appoint the officials just because they have started protesting.
The NEHUSU leaders also said that the appointment of Pro Vice Chancellor is in the statute of the university. They expressed surprise as to why Prof. Shukla had to write to the central government for approval.
The students also sought to know if the vice chancellor had written to the central government for appointing an adviser, Rohit Prasad since it was not a sanctioned post.
The NEHUSU leaders told Prof. Shukla that every time they met him with issues related to the students, he would say that the university did not have funds whereas NEHU has funds to pay the Adviser.
Prof. Shukla informed the students that he would convene a meeting of the Executive Council of NEHU to form an inquiry committee within November 11.
However, the students were adamant that he steps down from his post since they have lost confidence in his leadership.
Later the agitating students burnt an effigy of Prof. Shukla.
The student leaders also refused to have any discussion with a delegation of VPP members who came to the campus to express solidarity with the fasting students. One of the student leaders even asked the VPP members to leave the spot.
