The Meghalaya High Court today asked the concerned authorities to apprise and advise the striking students of North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) of any medical risk associated with the continuing hunger strike and take such steps as are necessary in accordance with law.
The court also directed that its earlier order passed by the court on November 13 and the communication of the Education Ministry dated November 19 along with the office order dated November 14 be made known to the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU).
The order was passed by the division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prassana Mukerji and Justice B Bhattacharjee while hearing a PIL on the matter related to the ongoing imbroglio in NEHU and the agitation by students seeking the dismissal of vice chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla.
During the hearing Deputy Solicitor General of India Nitesh Mozika handed to the division bench of the High Court a communication dated November 19 with which is attached an order dated November 14 of the Department of Higher Education Ministry of Education, Government of India regarding setting up of a two-member enquiry committee headed by former UGC chairman Prof. D P Singh to inquire into the alleged mismanagement and administrative failures in NEHU.
All lawyers appearing today including Advocate General Amit Kumar, Deputy Solicitor General of India Nitesh Mozika and NEHU lawyer S Sen expressed concern over the continuing hunger strike by the university students.
They are of the view that considering the fact that winter is setting in and it is becoming exceedingly colder, the chance of deterioration of health of the striking students is greater with the passage of time and that this hunger strike should end.
According to the lawyers, the communication of the Central government regarding setting up of the enquiry committee should persuade the students to call off the hunger strike and to facilitate the resumption of normal functioning of the university.
Sen who appeared for NEHU assured to ensure that a copy of the communication and the orders are affixed at the notice board of the university and union office so that the students have knowledge of this order.
The next hearing of the PIL will be held on November 22.
