SHILLONG: The North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) said an FIR will be filed against the proctor of NEHU Tura for intimidating the union members and also against the pro-vice chancellor for making racially abusive statement.
The students’ union was on a visit to the Tura NEHU campus. They were accused of pelting stones at the pro-vice chancellor’s house.
In a press communiqué, the union clarified that the allegation levelled against NEHUSU “is completely unacceptable” and condemned it.
Referring to the pelting of stones, NEHUSU said its members were forced to confess to the act on the same day (Sunday) around 6 pm as the administration came in huge numbers and intimidated the office bearers of NEHUSU.
The union further claimed that the proctor warned that some unknown miscreants might ambush and attack them if they venture out of the guest house.
Following the warning, the union requested the NEHU administration to allow them to stay in the guest house for that particular night and assured them that they would leave the next morning.
However, NEHUSU alleged the proctor chased out its members and instructed the president of the union, Geniuca Majaw, to stay alone.
“It is only when the president cried and requested out of fear then some respected lady teachers intervened and requested the proctor and pro-VC Tura to allow all of them to stay overnight,” the statement said.
NEHUSU pointed out that Majaw was teased by labourers when she toured the Tura campus on April 7.
The union said Majaw complaint to her team members following which the union members confronted the labourers and instructed them to behave in a decent manner. The union said teasing is a serious issue in which an FIR will be lodged against the alleged labourers. “If the labourers were physically attacked by us then we demand production of medical examination reports that will justify their claims,” the union said.
Racial abuse
The office bearers of NEHUSU said they were saddened and frustrated at the same time because of racial abuse. “When the pro-VC of NEHU Tura came to the guest house and refused to shake our hands and said that “I do not want to shake the hands of your kind of people”.
The students’ union stated that they felt taunted by this act of racial abuse and when the NEHUSU members enquired from him as to what he meant by “your kind of people” he yet again taunted them by saying “I know your kind of people” and walked away.
“The NEHUSU feels like this is an allegation against the students’ union to shut the voice of those who have been constantly fighting for students’ rights,” the statement said.
NEHU Tura campus condition
The NEHUSU made a mention of the hardships of the students in Tura by pointing that some departments conduct their classes in the boys’ hostel. Another issue is that boys and girls share the same toilet.
“One of the female students (who wished not to be quoted) stated that it has been uncomfortable and awkward to go through such a demoralising situation,” the statement said.
Again, the union said students of NEHU Tura campus have to walk more than 20 km to even avail basic stationeries for their academic works.
The pro-VC Tura, in 2017 had assured NEHUSU and the students of Tura Campus to construct a stationery shop but after prior inquiry the pro-VC had denied permission for the same. “Now NEHUSU questions the pro-VC of NEHU Tura as to how a central university cannot even have just one stationery,” the union asserted.