SHILLONG, Aug 5: The North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) on Saturday closed down the varsity’s main entrance gate in protest against the failure of the administration to arrange buses for students who were to take their exams.
As the lack of proper transportation arrangements caused inconveniences and hardships to the students, the NEHUSU resorted to the drastic measure, aimed at thwarting the entry of all vehicles into the university.
Later, Assistant Registrar (Admin-II) and in-charge of transportation, Ivan Lyngdoh sent an apology letter to the NEHUSU president. He expressed regrets for the “communication gap” that led to the unavailability of buses for the exams of certain departments held on Saturday.
Lyngdoh assured that the weekend bus will ply from the next week and due approval will be accorded accordingly. Following the assurance, the protestors reopened the main entrance gate.
The protest continued for an hour until the Assistant Registrar (Admin-II) came to settle the matter and complied with the demands of the students.
During the protest, the NEHUSU demanded weekend buses for the convenience of students, especially hostellers.
The union argued that since the hostellers pay a similar amount as bus fare as that of the students staying off campus, they too should be provided with buses to commute within the city.
The NEHUSU asked the administration not to play with the student community. It said Saturday’s protest serves as a preview of what may happen if its charter of demands, including improved Wi-Fi, 24×7 library access as discussed with the Vice Chancellor several months ago, is not met in the coming days.
