SHILLONG, NOV 8: Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar on Friday expressed concern over the prevailing situation in the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) due to ongoing indefinite hunger strike protest that led to the hospitalization of many students.
The University was brought under total lockdown following the agitation launched by the students under the banner of the North Eastern Hill University Students Union (NEHUSU) and backed by the Khasi Students Union (KSU-NEHU Unit) during the past 4 days, as a mark of protest against the vice chancellor Prof PS Shukla’s failure to terminate the registrar and deputy registrar.
During his meeting with a joint delegation of the teachers, who are leaders of the NEHUTA and MeTTA at Raj Bhavan, the Governor expressed deep concern after reading about the ongoing hunger strike by NEHU students, which has already led to three students falling ill. He inquired about the situation from NEHUTA and held a detailed discussion on the grievances of the students, as well as the concerns of the teaching and non-teaching staff.
In response to his request, the members highlighted some of the critical challenges facing NEHU, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address these issues for the benefit of students, faculty, and the broader community. They also sought the Governor’s intervention in his capacity as the Chief Rector of NEHU.
After patiently hearing the issues raised by NEHUTA and MeTTA-NEHU, the Governor requested the associations to identify the specific problems and propose both short-term and long-term solutions.
He advised them to submit a comprehensive representation, after which an actionable plan would be drawn up.
The Governor assured them of his commitment to facilitate further discussions with different stakeholders, including the Vice-Chancellor and state authorities, to resolve the issues on a priority basis.
The Governor reiterated that NEHU, as a premier educational institution serving the North Eastern region of India, is currently grappling with several challenges affecting its academic and administrative operations, which are ultimately impacting the student community. He stressed the importance of ensuring that NEHU functions smoothly in the best interest of its students.
The Governor also requested NEHUTA’s assistance in communicating his message to the student community, urging them to call off the hunger strike. He assured them that all necessary measures would be taken gradually, expressing his deep concern for the students’ health.
Additionally, he called on all parties to collaborate in finding sustainable solutions for the betterment of NEHU and its community.
As the Chief Rector of NEHU, the Governor assured that he would provide all necessary support to resolve the matter as soon as possible and to uphold the prestige of this esteemed institution.