Bodoland University
The three-member inquiry committee team meeting agitating students. Photo Credit - Northeast Now

The Bodoland Studentsโ€™ Union (BSU) barred a three-member inquiry committee team from entering the Bodoland University campus on Friday. The team had to go back as the agitating students were in โ€œno moodโ€ to allow them to enter.

The inquiry committee was in town to enquire into various allegations of irregularities vis-ร -vis administrative matters including appointments, admission and examinations. The three-member enquiry committee was headed by Professor TB Chubba, former Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University, Sikkim, Krishna Gohain, Secretary to the Government of Assam, Higher Education Department and Radhendu Roy Choudhury, executive council representative to the inquiry committee. The team met the agitating student leaders.

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The BSU โ€“ with support from other studentsโ€™ organisations and academicians โ€“ have been demanding the resignation of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr Hemanta K Baruah, who retired recently and has got an extension, and the appointment of a Deputy V-C. The indefinite strike entered its ninth day on Friday.

The ongoing strike has affected both the academic as well as non-academic functions of the university. The BSU continues to block the entrance gate of the university campus and the president of the studentsโ€™ body Swgwmsar Basumatary has said the indefinite stir will go on till their demands are met.

The studentsโ€™ main contention is extending the term of the incumbent V-C Dr Hemanta K Baruah over which they are โ€œseeing redโ€ and they alleged that during the five-year tenure of Dr Baruah, โ€œno developmental work has taken place in the universityโ€. They demanded that the incumbent V-C be immediately released and a new V-C be appointed in his place. The protesters also demanded filling up of vacant posts in both teaching and non-teaching departments.

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The Bodoland University Teachersโ€™ Association has expressed serious concern over the ongoing indefinite strike at the varsity campus saying that it was โ€œhamperingโ€ the academic ambience of the varsity.

Rinoy Basumatary is Northeast Now Correspondent in Kokrajhar. He can be reached at: [email protected]