Frustrated by the administration’s inaction, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) students have launched an indefinite hunger strike beginning November 5 and announced a complete lockdown of the university from November 6. Their demands are varied but focused on institutional changes, including the immediate removal of the registrar and deputy registrar, the appointment of a pro Vice-Chancellor at Tura campus, the prompt staging of PGSU elections, and improvements in basic amenities. The NEHU Student Union (NEHUSU) representative, General Secretary Toniho Kharsati, expressed disappointment following a meeting with Vice-Chancellor Professor Prabha Shankar Shukla, who showed reluctance to tackle the ongoing issues, despite having received multiple memorandums.
The protest has garnered backing from the KSU NEHU Unit and the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers’ Association (MeTTA), highlighting widespread dissatisfaction within the university. In addition, non-teaching staff at the university have aligned themselves with the protest, striking for their own unresolved grievances to be addressed.
Earlier in the week, the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) directly appealed to Vice-Chancellor Shukla. Their communication stressed the urgent need for a Pro Vice-Chancellor at the Tura campus, emphasizing the importance of an organized student union for representing concerns and facilitating dialogue with the administration. The GSU, in their letter to VC Shukla, underscored the necessity of elevating this administrative post with a “sense of urgency and responsibility.”
The collective unrest highlights deep-rooted dissatisfaction with NEHU’s administration and marks a critical juncture for the institution’s leadership. Addressing these demands is seen as vital to restoring normalcy and ensuring that the university can fulfill its educational mandate effectively. The developments are poised to test the university’s commitment to addressing student and staff grievances in a comprehensive manner.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalayas-nehu-students-initiate-hunger-strike-announce-university-in-lockdown-1116560-2024-11-06?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2024-11-06 11:52:00
