Shillong, Apr 28: The North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) has called for an indefinite suspension of classes in protest against heavy deployment of police forces and CRPF personnel inside the university campus.
The forces were deployed in the crisis-laden university following arrest of NEHUSU president Sandy Sohtun for allegedly assaulting an assistant professor of Hindi in his chamber recently.
Opposing the deployment of over two platoons of police personnel and a section of CRPF unit on the campus, NEHUSU general secretary Toniho Kharsati said, “We are calling for an indefinite suspension of classes until and unless the police personnel vacate the university premises. That is the ultimatum we are giving (the state authorities).”
The protesting students also had a three-hour-long stand-off with the magistrate and police.
“The students’ union has been cooperating with them, but if they are really threatening the student community of the university, we won’t step down. We will give the response in this way,” he stated.
Warning that the “battle has just begun”, Kharsati said, “Until and unless these people leave, we will not step in the classes. That’s the final ultimatum.”
“Let them (forces) occupy (the university), we will sit outside the gates,” he added.
When contacted, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said the deployment of two platoons of police was to ensure safety and security of all in the NEHU campus.
He also informed that investigation is still on and law will take its own course against those involved in the recent assault of the teacher.
