Meghalaya News: The ongoing student protests at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong have taken a serious turn as the health of Students’ Union president Sandy Sohthun deteriorated during a hunger strike. Sohthun, who has been leading the agitation, was admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital's Critical Care Unit (CCU) after experiencing blurred vision and other symptoms. Doctors have warned that his condition could worsen due to complications affecting his internal organs.
Sohthun was on a hunger strike, which is part of a larger student movement, against longstanding grievances against the university administration. The protesting students are demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, the registrar, and other officials, accusing them of mismanagement and administrative failures. According to the students, these issues have jeopardised their academic and professional futures.
The agitation by NEHU students, which entered its 11th day on November 15, started to escalate on November 6 when students locked down the university campus. According to reports, the residence of V-C Shukla was even vandalised on Sunday, and a case was registered, though it's not known yet as to who were behind the violence.
Earlier, it was reported, students from NEHU and other educational institutions, along with women and NGOs from the state took part in a protest march to show solidarity to the agitating students.
Despite the protests, however, the university administration is yet to take any action, prompting the students to intensify their movement. They have vowed not to back down until their demands are met.
The Union Ministry of Education has taken note of the situation. On November 14, the ministry announced the formation of a committee to investigate allegations of administrative mismanagement and governance failures at NEHU.
Former UGC chairman Professor DP Singh is the chairman of the committee, which will "inquire into the allegations and submit its report within a period of 15 days from the date of issuance of this order, along with necessary recommendations for corrective actions", according to the ministry order. Former Assam University V-C Professor Dilip Chandra Nath is the second member of the panel.
