The indefinite hunger strike led by the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) was suspended on Wednesday evening after 16 days of protests, citing the worsening health of participants.
The union's agitation was centred on allegations of financial mismanagement and irregular appointments by Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla.
The decision was announced by NEHUSU General Secretary, Toniho Kharsati, following appeals from faculty, non-teaching staff, and advice from medical professionals.
“We have temporarily suspended our indefinite hunger strike on the 16th day following requests from various quarters, including teachers and non-teaching staff of the university, and moreover on the medical advice of doctors,” Kharsati said.
Suspension of classes to persist
Despite ending the hunger strike, NEHUSU vowed to continue suspending classes until their demand for Shukla’s removal was met.
Kharsati clarified, “We would like to make it clear that this is a temporary suspension of our hunger strike pending the inquiry committee submitting its findings and recommendations on our charter of demands to the Union Ministry of Education.”
He warned of escalating protests if the Ministry failed to act favourably: “If we do not get a favourable response to demands of the students and the NEHU community, we would have no other option but to resume our indefinite hunger strike to force the central government to concede to our genuine demands.”
Ministry forms inquiry committee
The Union Ministry of Education had on 14 November constituted a two-member inquiry committee to probe the allegations against Shukla.
The panel, headed by Prof. D.P. Singh, former Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), and Prof. Dilip Chandra Nath, former VC of Assam University, is expected to submit its report within 15 days, along with recommendations for corrective measures.
Widespread support for NEHUSU
NEHU’s Teachers’ Association, Meghalaya Tribal Teachers’ Association (MeTTA-NEHU), and NEHU Non-teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) have backed the students’ demands.
They echoed the call for Shukla’s removal, citing administrative lapses and alleged irregularities under his tenure.
Shukla, who proceeded on earned leave from 15 November, had earlier attempted to negotiate with students, but his overtures were rejected. The unrest saw instances of vandalism, including damage to his official residence on the university campus.
In the VC’s absence, Prof. Nirmalendu Saha, the acting VC, has formed a university-level inquiry committee with representatives from key stakeholders to address NEHU’s pressing issues.
“The committee is rigorously working to complete its due process, and its findings will be submitted to the committee established by the Ministry of Education,” Prof. Saha stated on Monday.
Follow us
