‘We won’t rest until Prof PS Shukla is gone from the university’
Shillong, Nov 17: The NEHU students on indefinite hunger strike have made it clear that come what may they would not withdraw their protest till Prof PS Shukla remained the vice-chancellor of the university.
Prof Shukla, after failing to resolve the crisis even by fulfilling a key demand of appointing pro-VCs of NEHU Tura and Shillong campuses, has proceeded on a 13-day leave due to “unavoidable circumstances”.
“The demand is clear and uncompromising: the VC must resign, be removed or leave the university permanently,” leaders of the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit said in a joint statement issued on Friday night.
“This is not a plea, it is a declaration of intent. Until this demand is met, the ongoing hunger strike will not only continue but intensify. Our resolve is unshakable, and our spirit is unbreakable,” they said.
Functioning of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has been paralysed for past 12 days due to the ongoing indefinite hunger strike and “total lockdown” imposed by the student bodies, who initially demanded removal of the registrar and deputy registrar. Later, they demanded for removal of the VC citing his failure to address their demands.
“We will not yield and we will not rest until Prof PS Shukla is gone from the university,” they said.
Meanwhile, welcoming the appointment of Prof N Saha as acting VC, they said although the student leaders and the student community wholeheartedly accepted his instatement, the NEHUSU and KSU NEHU Unit would remain steadfast in the “fight for justice”.
Earlier, the union Ministry of Education formed a two-member committee to inquire into the various allegations of administrative mismanagement in the central university. The committee has been asked to submit a report along with recommendations within 15 days.
The NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA), meanwhile, launched a non-cooperation movement against the VC while urging the newly appointed pro-VCs for Shillong and Tura campuses not to join their respective duty.
