From Our Correspondent
TURA, Dec 13: Peeved at various ignored pleas, Garo Hills-based organisations, under the banner of the All Garo Hills Joint Action Committee (AGHJAC), on Monday began their indefinite picketing of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Tura Campus.
Leaders of various local groups, under the umbrella of AGHJAC, sat in protest in front of the NEHU, Tura Campus, against the failure of the University authorities to resolve the pending issues that were raised earlier.
Speaking during the agitation, a leader of the AGHJAC, Balkarin Ch Marak, said that demands for the improvement of the NEHU were put forth long time ago via several memorandums and letters, which, much to their dismay, fell on deaf ears.
Some of these demands include the appointment of a local (Garo) Pro Vice Chancellor, more admission to indigenous Garo students, regularisation of the services of contractual staff, construction of additional buildings and a hostel for the campus, introduction of new subjects, among others.
Another leader said that they were compelled to agitate as the vice chancellor failed to keep his promise which was made during their meeting.
“During our meeting earlier, the vice chancellor had assured us that he would meet us again and listen to our demands. But that has not happened till date. If NEHU is not improved, students from Garo Hills will lag behind and that is why we are raising the demand,” GSU CEC (Interim) president, Zikku Balgra N Marak, said.
Asking the authorities to immediately look into the pending issues within the NEHU, the AGHJAC has asserted that the indefinite protest will continue until the demands are acceded to.
