‘Instigators’ of scuffle draw scorn
SHILLONG, March 26: Two groups, viz. Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and World Organization of Student and Youth (WOSY), have come down heavily on the perpetrators of an “attack” on stu-dents during a programme organised by the WOSY at NEHU campus to celebrate Holi on Tuesday.
A scuffle had ensued in NEHU on Tuesday between members of the ABVP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU). The celebration was organised beside the lake at NEHU for the university’s students including some international students from Russia, Bhutan and Bang-ladesh.
The ABVP alleged that the ‘attack’ was led by Easterson Sohtun, Aditya Sourav, and Gurudutt Tripathi. Sohtun, the vice president of NEHUSU, was one of the two persons reportedly injured in the incident.
The ABVP maintained that the programme was organised after obtaining necessary permissions from the NEHU authorities.
“Unfortunately, the peaceful celebration was disrupted by a mob attack led by Easterson Sohtun, Aditya Sourav and Gurudutt Tripathi, who assaulted the students with hammers in which a few sustained inju-ries,” the ABVP said in a statement issued here.
Flagging concern, the student organisation alleged that the actions of the attackers amounted to viola-tion of the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
It also alleged that there have been similar incidents before wherein Easterson Sohtun had attempted to assault WOSY members, while seeking immediate and stringent action against the culprits.
The WOSY, on the other hand, also held the trio of Easterson Sohtun, Aditya Sourav and Gurudutt Tripa-thi responsible for ‘disgraceful’ disruption of Holi celebration at the University. “This appalling incident was not only an attack on the cultural integrity of our institution but also a politically motivated act aimed at sowing discord and chaos,” it said in a separate statement.
“Such incidents create a hostile environment that undermines the educational experience and leaves a lasting negative impression, especially among our foreign students,” it added.
The WOSY has urged the authorities to swiftly investigate the incident.
