Amid rising tensions at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong, miscreants vandalised the residence of the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor PS Shukla, on Sunday.
The incident occurred amidst ongoing student protests demanding the removal of Prof Shukla and two other officials.
Following the attack, police personnel, led by SP (City) D Ashwaghosh, arrived at the scene along with university officials.
Addressing a crowd of around 2,000 gathered outside Prof Shukla’s residence, District Magistrate R P Kharshiing announced that the Vice-Chancellor has been unaccounted for since the night of November 9, adding that his residence was vandalised by unidentified miscreants.
Seeking to prevent further violence, Kharshiing addressed the crowd, stating, “Give me an undertaking that from this point forward, there will be no violence or damage to public property. I am prepared to withdraw the police, but only with an assurance that there will be no further incidents.”
Emphasising the situation’s severity, he added, “Damage to public property and threats to a person’s life, like those seen last night, are unacceptable.”
Acting Registrar B Rynjah lodged an FIR at Mawlai police station, and a case has been registered, according to the police.
Meanwhile, students of NEHU, the oldest university in the North East, staged a march that passed by the VC’s residence before being halted by the police.
Protesters held placards with messages such as “We need integrity in appointments,” “NEHU’s future is at stake, step down VC,” and “No more convocation delays.”
Superior Syngkli, president of the Research Scholars Forum NEHU, stated that Prof Shukla had been missing since late November 9, adding, “The research scholars support the varsity students who have been demanding the immediate resignation of Prof Shukla.”
Earlier, the protest attracted support from various sectors, including students from NEHU and other institutions, local women’s groups, and NGOs, who joined the march to show solidarity with the NEHU students.
The demonstration began with a prayer meeting at the Science Cluster of NEHU and concluded at the Administrative Block, where students have been staging an indefinite hunger strike for the past five days.
Follow us
