Pradhan dials CM to take stock of NEHU crisis
Shillong, Nov 12: The deadlock in the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) continued for eight consecutive days with no sign of any immediate discussion taking place between the agitating students and university authorities.
Entry and exit of people have been severely restricted since the protesting students under the banner of NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit launched an indefinite hunger strike on November 5 and locked the campus the next day.
They are now demanding resignation of the vice-chancellor Prof PS Shukla besides seeking termination of the registrar and deputy registrar for their “illegal appointment”.
The VC has been “missing” from the campus since Saturday night when his official quarter and car were vandalised by miscreants.
He is currently at an undisclosed located due to security reasons and said to be safe and sound.
However, sources said the VC Shukla is likely to go on leave although the duration was not yet confirmed.
Meanwhile, union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan called chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday evening and assured of finding a solution to the current turmoil in NEHU.
In his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the chief minister wrote: “Received a call from Hon’ble Minister Education @dpradhanbjp, for his assurance to find a resolution to the current issue of NEHU. Would like to thank Hon’ble Governor for his intervention.”
So far at least nine students, who were taking part in the indefinite hunger strike, have been admitted to hospital for deteriorating health condition.
Earlier on Monday, an online meeting of NEHU Executive Council (EC) chaired by the VC decided to institute an inquiry into the conduct of the registrar and deputy registrar. The inquiry will be headed by a former judge or retired IAS/IPS officer.
The EC also took up the matter of appointment of Pro-VCs for Shillong and Tura campuses and the VC assured that it would happen very soon.
