By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 21: Regular classes in the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) continue to remain suspended as the teachers and agitating students eagerly await the arrival of the two-member central probe committee constituted by the Ministry of Education.
Students suspended their indefinite hunger strike after 16 days on Wednesday but they continue to stage a sit-in from 9 am to 5 pm, while remaining steadfast in their determination to continue their protest until Vice Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla is removed.
NEHU Vice Chancellor in charge, Nirmalendu Saha on Thursday informed that the university offices have started to function.
Prof Saha said there was no communication from the Ministry of Education as to the date of arrival of the two-member inquiry committee.
“I was told yesterday (by the Ministry) that they will be here very soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the 14 students who had staged the 16-day hunger strike were taken for a medical checkup at NEIGRIHMS on Thursday.
NEHU Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in charge, Carol Mukhim had made the arrangement with the NEIGRIHMS authorities for the health checkup.
The agitating students underwent ultrasound, X-ray and blood tests. NEIGRIHMS authorities said the students did not have any major complication as per the ultrasound and X-ray reports. The blood test reports will be issued on Friday.
It was also informed that president of KSU NEHU unit, Shibaitlang Rymbai lost around 10 kg weight while KSU women unit member Ibakordor Marwein lost around 8 kg of her weight.
NEHUSU president, Sandy Sohtun is reported to be suffering from bowel infection and is under medication.
When contacted, NEHUSU general secretary, Toniho S Kharsati said one of the female students has been admitted to the Shillong Civil Hospital and her condition is stated to be critical.
Kharsati thanked that the doctors and staff of NEIGRIHMS for conducting medical tests on the 14 agitating students.
In a related development, the Kolkata-based All India Save Education Committee (AISEC) wrote to Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan expressing their concern over the ongoing agitation in NEHU.
“You are aware that the crisis in NEHU is caused by both internal and external factors. There is a strong public sentiment in the Northeastern states that the central government imposes mediocre persons who cannot even communicate properly as the Vice Chancellors in the central universities. Those who have no idea of the history, culture and sensitivities of the people, are sent as the VCs with a political mission,” AISEC general secretary Tarun Kanti Naskar said in the letter.
A copy of the letter was forwarded to UGC Chairman, Prof Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar.
The letter said there are serious allegations that the VC in NEHU is recruiting unworthy persons with RSS background as teachers and key officials, much to the resentment of the local people and academic community.
“Such VCs do little to improve the academic and infrastructural development in the university, and fail to address the problems of the students, teachers and non-teaching staff,” the letter said.
Welcoming the inquiry committee appointed by the Ministry of Education, the AISEC demanded a fair and impartial probe into all the allegations made against the VC and administration in due consultation with all the stakeholders in NEHU.
“Though the hunger strike is now withdrawn, agitation of students continues. Hence, we expect that the committee will not delay in visiting the university and address the grievances of all the stakeholders,” it added.