Shillong, November 28: Eight postgraduate trainees (PGTs) students from the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong, have launched an indefinite hunger strike, citing a series of unresolved grievances. Their demands include clarity on the institute’s affiliation with North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), disbursement of stipends pending for over a year, and the appointment of academic guides crucial to their coursework.
The protesting students expressed frustration over the administration’s inaction, stating they had exhausted all formal avenues for resolution. “We reached out to the administration several times through the appropriate channels, submitting formal applications, but received no reply. With no other options left, we were compelled to begin a hunger strike,” said one of the trainees.
In solidarity, a significant number of students gathered on the college premises, holding placards and shouting slogans to amplify the protesters’ voices.
The trainees further alleged that the absence of key officials has worsened the situation. Both the director and deputy director are reportedly in Delhi, while the designated in-charge has also been unavailable. They claim this has left their concerns unanswered and added to their sense of neglect.
Despite the growing unrest, the institute’s authorities have yet to respond to the students’ demands, leaving the matter unresolved.