Shillong, Nov 20: In the first major impact of the ongoing hunger strike protests at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) on the students, the VC in-charge Prof Nirmalendu Saha indicated that semester-end exams of the odd semesters might be postponed to next year.
“We have already lost 2 weeks (of classes). Under this present situation (the hunger strike), it will be very difficult to conduct the exam in December. So, we may have to postpone it to next February,” Prof Saha told reporters on Tuesday.
The exams could be held only after reopening of the university following the winter vacation, he said.
Meanwhile, the Academic Council would reschedule the academic calendar in next two-three days after fixing new dates for the semester-end exams.
As per schedule, the exams were supposed to start in the first week of December.
However, there has been no sign of NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and KSU NEHU unit relenting on the protests so far.
They have made it clear that the protests, which entered 15 days on Tuesday, would go on till removal of the VC Prof VC Shukla, the registrar and the deputy registrar of the university.
Some services resume
Meanwhile, Prof Saha informed that NEHU Non-teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) have re-opened some of the essential services such as finance, academic and budget and whatever sections required for the welfare of the students and emergency services.
On the other hand, he said, the students were adamant in their demand for removal of Prof Shukla as VC and did not allow resumption of the classes.
However, NEHUSU has allowed opening of HoDs and Deans’ chambers from Tuesday onwards to allow students to complete certificate and scholarships works.
“So slowly, they are relaxing, hopefully and finally they will suspend this hunger strike for some time,” Prof Saha said.
“I have requested them to call off the strike or suspend it for some time, (till the time) the inquiry report is prepared and submitted,” he added.
