The Vice-Chancellor in charge of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Prof. Nirmalendu Saha, has indicated that the upcoming semester examinations, initially scheduled for the first week of December, are likely to be postponed to February due to the ongoing agitation and the loss of class time.
“We have already lost two weeks of classes,” Prof. Saha stated while addressing the media. “Given the current situation with the hunger strike, it will be very difficult to conduct the exams in December. So, we may have to postpone them to February. The exams can only be held after the university reopens, post the winter vacation.”
He clarified that the postponement is not final yet. “I cannot say definitively right now because the matter needs to be discussed in the Academic Council. We will need to reschedule the academic calendar, and whatever collective decision is made, I will strictly follow it. The semester examinations were initially set to begin in the first week of December.”
On the ongoing agitation, Prof. Saha highlighted that essential services in certain areas had resumed. “All essential services, like Finance, academic, budget sections, and emergency services, have been reopened. I have requested the students to call off or suspend the strike until the committee’s report is prepared and submitted. They have been very positive, and I am hopeful the strike will be completely withdrawn.”
However, regular classes remain suspended. “No, classes have not started because the students are still adamant. Unless they call off the strike, classes cannot begin. However, they have allowed the Heads of Departments’ chambers and departmental offices to open. Slowly, they are relaxing, and I am optimistic that they will suspend the hunger strike soon,” he explained.
Expressing cautious optimism, Prof. Saha added, “While I am hopeful that students may consider suspending the strike for some time, it is difficult for me to predict their exact intentions.”