Shillong, Nov 14: Two student-organisations staging protest in the North Eastern Hill University will continue with the indefinite hunger strike till the vice chancellor PS Shukla is removed as the head of the institute.
They rejected the order of Ministry of Education to constitute a two-member committee to inquire into mismanagement and administrative failures.
The protests of North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) supported by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU – NEHU Unit) entered the tenth day.
NEHUSU general secretary Toniho S Kharsati said, “We received a notification from the Ministry of Education announcing the formation of a committee to address the issues we’ve raised. However, this decision does not align with the demands of the students. Our hunger strike from day one has focused on the removal of the Vice Chancellor, and we will continue until the government acts decisively on this demand.”
Kharsati said, “It is disappointing that the government has not appointed anyone familiar with NEHU’s unique history and the challenges faced by the university. The presence of a local member would have brought much-needed insight into the university’s and region’s needs.”
According to him, until the government meets their demand to remove the Vice Chancellor, they will continue with the indefinite hunger strike.
After 10 days of hunger strike, Sandy Sohtun, President of NEHUSU, was admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Civil Hospital, Shillong. “His health has severely deteriorated, with blurred vision and other alarming symptoms indicating potential complications in his internal organs. This is a stark reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice and change,” the union said.
Ibakordor Marweiñ (Asst. GS KSU NEHU unit), Aibok Nongsteng (Organizing Secretary KSU NEHU unit, Fricky Marweiñ (Asst. Organizing Secretary KSU NEHU unit), Robin Nongrem (Asst. Education Secretary KSU NEHU unit), Ruksarbiya Khonglam (Asst. Hostel Secretary KSU NEHU unit) were also rushed to NEHU health centre after their health deteriorated.
