North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) vice chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla has reportedly gone “missing”.
The news about Prof. Shukla’s disappearance was announced by a magistrate today evening to a crowd of around 1,000 protesters who marched towards Prof. Shukla’s residence. The march was organised by the NEHU Research Scholars’ Forum.
The disappearance of the NEHU vice chancellor followed acts of vandalism at his official residence located inside the university complex.
While it was not known who committed the vandalism, all items inside the residence were damaged by vandals. Even flower pots were not saved.
A vehicle parked outside Prof. Shukla’s residence was also vandalised.
According to the magistrate, the vice chancellor “went missing” at 2am today.
The magistrate also prevented the protesters from going towards the official residence of Prof. Shukla since a police investigation is going on regarding the vandalism.
“The residence has become a criminal place of occurrence now and police investigation is going on,” the magistrate said.
Meanwhile, the security officer of NEHU told a group of protesters that Prof. Shukla went missing at 2am.
“His house has become a crime scene since there was vandalism at the house last night. The building is under investigation,” the security officer said.
Earlier, protesters carrying placards were stopped by police outside the vice chancellor’s residence.
NEHU campus has been brewing with tension since November 5 as students from NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and KSU NEHU Unit are on indefinite hunger strike.
The university is currently on lockdown as classes have been stopped. The indefinite strike by the non-teaching staff has further paralysed operations at the university.
Students and teachers are demanding the resignation of Prof. Shukla and also removal of registrar Omkar Singh and deputy registrar Amit Gupta, citing incompetence and mismanagement.
Meanwhile, the Achik NEHU Students’ Union (ANEHUSU) yesterday staged a hunger strike and prayer meeting at NEHU Tura campus to express solidarity with the agitation launched by NEHUSU and KSU-NEHU Unit.
