VC urges students to end strike and join dialogue
Shillong, Nov 9:The authorities of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) convened an emergency meeting of its executive council on Friday to find solutions to end the current deadlock, but it could not take place due to disruptions caused by the students’ protests.
The ongoing hunger strike by the students under the banner of North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU unit entered the fourth day on Friday.
With the failure in holding the meeting, solution to the agitating students’ primary demands – removal of registrar, deputy registrar and pro-VCs in NEHU Tura & Shillong campuses – could be further delayed.
NEHU vice-chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla, who too came in the line of fire and asked to resign by the protesters, appealed to all students to engage in dialogue for resolution of their demands.
Expressing his concern for the students’ well-being in a press statement, Prof Shukla said, “I attempted to engage in discussions with the students directly to address these matters and urged them to end their hunger strike, as I am deeply concerned about the potential impact on their health. However, I was advised by the magistrate to refrain from visiting certain areas due to safety concerns.”
Reaffirming his commitment to address the student’s concerns, he urged the latter to end the hunger strike and participate in dialogue to end the impasse.
Protesters fall ill, hospitalised
Meanwhile, four more student protesters participating in the hunger strike have taken ill and shifted to the hospital.
They were admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital as the hunger strike completed 78 hours on Friday.
The ill protesters are – Kevin Nelson, Wanrap Rani, Morningstar Suting and Naphisabet Marwein.
Two of the three protesters, who were hospitalised on Thursday, were discharged from the hospital on Friday.
Altogether 19 students including leaders of NEHUSU and KSU NEHU unit have been taking part in the indefinite hunger strike.
