Shillong: Agitating students of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong have refused to end their indefinite hunger strike, which is now on its sixth day.
Despite appeals from the Meghalaya Governor and Chief Rector Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar, the students, led by the North Eastern Hill University Students Union (NEHUSU), remain firm in their demands.
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The protesters are seeking the removal of Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla and four other top officials, including Registrar Col Omkar Singh (Retd) and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta.
While the Governor assured that the students’ demands would be considered, the VC offered to form an inquiry committee to investigate the removal of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar.
He also agreed to appoint a Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Tura Campus. However, these assurances have not satisfied the students.
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NEHUSU General Secretary Toniho S. Kharsati expressed dissatisfaction with the VC’s response, stating that the agitation would continue until their demands are met.
As part of their protest, students have burnt effigies of the VC, shut university entrances, and several have been hospitalized due to deteriorating health.
The Khasi Students Union’s NEHU unit and the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers’ Association are supporting the protest.
The students claim that the university’s ranking has declined due to the incompetence of top officials and illegal appointments.
The Non-teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) has also joined the protest, citing delays in the recruitment process.