The hunger strike by students of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), the oldest central university in the northeast, entered its 13th day on Sunday, with the agitating students demanding the removal of what they term as "incompetent" and "illegally" appointed officials.
The students are calling for the ouster of Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla and four other top officials, including Registrar Col Omkar Singh (Retd) and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta.
The protests began on November 5, led by the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU), and have since intensified.
After the Vice-Chancellor went on leave until November 29, Acting VC Prof Nirmalendu Saha urged the students to end their indefinite hunger strike. However, the students have stood firm on their demands.
Notably, the Mawlai Town Dorbar (MTD), an influential traditional body, has intervened in the issue, stating that Shukla "should not be allowed to re-enter the university campus once his leave ends."
MTD President Herlambok War, after meeting the protesting students, declared, “We do not want the Vice-Chancellor to come to NEHU campus after his leave is over. We want to avoid further problems at the varsity. The students’ ongoing agitation, which could harm their health, should not continue because of the incumbent VC.”
Following MTD’s intervention, NEHUSU General Secretary Toniho S. Kharsati stated that they would review the MTD's appeal to call off the hunger strike, exploring alternative forms of protest.
Earlier, the Meghalaya Governor, the Chief Rector of NEHU, Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar, and the state’s Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, appealed to the students to end their protest.
Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of the students.
In addition, the Chief Minister briefed Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan about the situation, urging for a peaceful resolution.
The students also wrote a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, detailing their grievances and seeking her intervention in the matter.
VC Shukla had earlier urged the students to call off their strike and promised to form an inquiry committee to look into their demands regarding the removal of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar.
However, NEHUSU has rejected his assurances, claiming that due to the incompetence of top officials, NEHU’s ranking had slipped 21 points to 101 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
Kharsati added, “Since the incumbent VC took charge in 2021, no significant academic developments have taken place. Instead, the institution’s rankings have been declining. Incompetent people were appointed to top positions.”
The protest has drawn support from various student organisations, including the North East Students' Organisation (NESO), Khasi Students Union’s NEHU unit, and the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers' Association.
Follow us
