TURA: In what can be termed as shocking hooliganism, a band of visiting students vandalised the residence of the Tura campus head of NEHU and also assaulted workers in the premises prompting authorities to register a complaint with the police in Tura.
The incident was allegedly orchestrated by a group of nine visiting students from the North -Eastern Hill University Students Union (NEHUSU) of Shillong who attacked the residential quarters of the Pro Vice Chancellor of the university, G Singhaiah and later manhandled 7 labourers working inside the campus.
The visiting students created a ruckus three times during their stay.
According to NEHU – Tura campus authorities, the 9 delegates were provided accommodation at the University Guest House on the request of the president of the Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU), NEHU Tura Campus.
“The first incident occurred on Saturday. Without any prior intimation to the authority, NEHUSU, Shillong along with PGSU, Tura visited the Norombi PG Girls’ Hostel at around 7.45 PM. As reported by the security guards on duty they conversed with the hostellers and shouted slogans in front of the residence of Prof. G. Singaiah, Pro-Vice Chancellor (PVC) who was out of station at that time,” informed NEHU authorities.
The next day, on a Sunday, the same group from Shillong came again to the residence of the Pro Vice Chancellor in the afternoon and pelted stones causing damage to the residence,” said the PRO of NEHU.
The wife of the PVC, who was alone in the residence at the time, was shaken but managed to call her husband who was on his way to Tura.
“They even threatened the security on duty while he was attempting to prevent the culprits from causing damage. After this at around 4 pm, they also assaulted 7 labourers working on the construction site,” added the PRO.
The hostellers of Nokrek Boys Hostel who came to know of the situation also informed the PVC about the incident after which the police chief of the district, Dr MGR Kumar, was alerted about the incident.
The troublemakers from NEHUSU, Shillong were later rounded up in front of the Proctor where they admitted their offence.
“A meeting was convened along with faculty members, officials and PGSU of NEHU, Tura, who unanimously decided to direct the culprits to vacate the guest house immediately. They admitted to their offence once again in front of all but requested to be allowed to stay overnight. They finally vacated the university guest house at 10:30 am on Monday,”
Condemning the incident, another meeting was again held by the same group from NEHU Tura wherein a decision to file a FIR on the matter was jointly taken. They also decided to inform the higher authorities for necessary action against the perpetrators of the incidents.