There is palpable tension on the campus of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) here after the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police were deployed in force.
Students irked by the authorities’ decision to deploy police argued with magistrates present at the university and shouted slogans.
Students interviewed by the media spoke of a climate of fear brought about by the presence of more than 100 uniformed police personnel on the campus, who were ostensibly deployed to ensure security for Assistant Professor Alok Singh, who had allegedly been assaulted by a student(s) on campus last week.
One student said that the police had not been requested to come on campus by the NEHU Acting Vice-Chancellor and were far more numerous than necessary if protection for Singh was the only reason for their presence.
There was a heated exchange of words between magistrates and the students with the latter alleging that the CRPF personnel entered the girls’ hostels.
Meanwhile, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said that the police were deployed on campus only for security.
NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) president Sandy Sohtun was arrested by police today in connection with the April 24 assault of Singh, who teaches in the university’s Hindi Department. The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) condemned the arrest, claiming that Sohtun had been framed by Singh.
The pressure group also said that the entry of the police on the campus will be a threat to the students. It also urged the government take immediate action and appoint an impartial investigation team so that the facts can be uncovered.
