Troubles continue to mount in the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) as students today evening staged an indefinite hunger strike in front of the office of the vice chancellor.
The students also announced a total lockdown of the university from November 6 onwards till all their demands were met.
The hunger strike was launched by NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit.
“We will continue this hunger strike till our demands submitted to the vice chancellor are achieved,” NEHUSU general secretary Toniho Kharsati said.
Earlier today afternoon, hundreds of students of the university took out a march to the office of vice chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla and shouted slogans demanding his immediate resignation.
A group of students led by NEHUSU leaders later entered Prof. Shukla’s office and had verbal exchange with him on various issues raised by the students from time to time including those mentioned in the memorandum submitted to him in September this year.
The students have been demanding the removal of the registrar and deputy registrar, appointment of pro vice chancellor for Tura campus, revising of hostel fees and providing clean water, Wifi facilities, ambulance etc.
The latest agitation by the students comes on the heels of the indefinite strike launched by NEHU Non-teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) since yesterday.
NEHUNSA said the indefinite strike was called to protest against the unprecedented delay in the recruitment process for the posts that were advertised on November 3, 2023. It also said that time and again communications have been sent to the vice chancellor to expedite the process of recruitment but the communication seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Adding to Prof. Shukla’s problem is the strong demand by NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) for termination of the service of “errant, irresponsible and inefficient” Registrar Omkar Singh and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta.
NEHUTA said that in its general body meeting held on November 1 it resolved to strongly support NEHUSU’s demand for the removal of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar in the larger interest of the university.
Meanwhile, Prof. Shukla will hold a press conference tomorrow at the Shillong Press Club to explain about the ongoing situation in NEHU.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers’ Association (MeTTA) of NEHU has extended its full support to the agitating students.
It may be noted that NEHU has seen a series of agitations by teachers and students ever since Prof. Shukla took over as vice chancellor. He was accused of violating rules and indulging in activities detrimental to the university.
