Shillong, Oct 12 (NNN): The state of affairs in the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong has today turned from bad to worse as the agitational programmes of the students grew stronger obstructing the normal functioning of the university. But NEHU is yet to see more of this kind if the issue is not taken care amicably which will lead to spoiling the reputation of this university of excellence.
The Meghalaya Tribal Students Coordination Committee (MTSCC) and North Eastern Hill University Students Union (NEHUSU) on Tuesday have threatened to intensify their agitational programme till our demands are fulfilled by the concerned authority. ‘We demanded for the immediate stepping down of Prof AN Rai as the VC and a tribal indigenous professor from Meghalaya step in as the new VC of NEHU’, said MTSCC chairman, Kynpham Kharlyngdoh after the meeting held here on Tuesday evening.
Earlier today, thousands of students took part at the demonstration held in front of the vice chancellor’s office called by the two students’ body – MTSCC and NEHUSU shouting out their protest against the new VC.
During the demonstration, the students have also decided to serve a deadline to Prof AN Rai to step down till 1 pm failing which they will by force make him step down. But later, the decision was revoke by the student leaders on request by the teaching staff of the University. ‘We decided to revoke our decision as a respect our teachers who have requested us not to take such step’, said MTSCC Chairman.
Moreover, the students who got so wild threatened to break the entrance door of the office of the vice chancellor when they were denied of the PA system they asked for. But later, the students calm down when they were made available with the PA system. Even they threw eggs at the entrance door.
Even the SOT team led by the DSP (Crime) has to be break the lock of the first gate of NEHU due to the students locked all the gates entering to NEHU campus to stop the police force from entering the campus.
Kharlyngdoh also said, ‘ If much delayed is put to resolve this issue, the students will not hold back but to intensify their agitational programmes till our demands is achieve’ while adding ‘tomorrow might be worse than this’, the Chairman said.
The vice chancellor, Prof AN Rai has called upon the agitating students for dialogue, Kharlyngdoh said, ‘on what authority is he calling us when we have failed to recognized him as our VC. We will never response on his invitation. All we want is for him to step down’.
Yesterday, the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma has slammed the Ministry of Human Resource Development for failing to address the present imbroglio in the University. The issue needs to be resolve at the earliest failing which will only tarnish the image of the prestigious university.
Meanwhile, Prof AN Rai speaking to reporters told that he has invited the students for dialogue today which they have failed to response.
‘I have also addressed the present situation to the MHRD and am yet to get the reply’, said Prof Rai.
Prof Rai further stated that he is likely to make a courtesy visit to the Governor and Chief Minister of the state and apprise them of the same.
On asked whether he will resign from the post, Prof Rai said, ‘It is not for me to decide. My resignation will come only on the decision of the Visitor’.
He however informed that he had a meeting with the officers of the university, Deans of Schools of Studies and office bearers of NEHU-non-teaching staff association on Monday last. All of them welcomed the VC and extended full co-operation, he said. Apart I will also have a meeting with the Teaching Staff Association of NEHU, Prof Rai added.