The hunger strike by students of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) entered its 13th day today even as the protesting students stood firm on their demand for the removal of vice chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla.
With Prof. Shukla going on leave from November 15 till November 29, the university is now looked after by acting vice chancellor Prof. Nirmalendu Saha.
Prof. Saha has urged the striking students to withdraw their indefinite hunger strike, which has been spearheaded by the NEHU Students Union (NEHUSU) since November 5.
Yesterday, the Mawlai Town Dorbar (MTD), a body of headmen of Mawlai under which the NEHU campus falls, declared that Prof. Shukla would not be allowed to re-enter the university campus.
After meeting the protesting students at the NEHU campus, MTD president Herlambok War said that the headmen’s body wanted Prof. Shukla to be removed from his position immediately.
“We do not want the vice chancellor to come to NEHU campus after his leave is over. The students’ ongoing agitation, which could harm their health, should not continue because of the incumbent vice chancellor,” War told the media.
NEHUSU general secretary Toniho S. Kharsati said that they would consider the MTD’s appeal to call off their indefinite hunger strike and explore alternative forms of protest.
“We would soon convene the union’s meeting at the earliest to review and decide on the next course of action,” Kharsati told the media.
The Ministry of Education has already constituted a two men inquiry committee to inquire on the specific allegation against the present vice chancellor of NEHU.
The inquiry committee headed by former University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Prof. D P Singh also consists of former Assam University vice chancellor Prof. Dilip Chandra Nath.
The committee has 15 days to complete the inquiry and submit the report along with the recommendation.
