As protests at North-Eastern Hills University (NEHU) intensified, faculty members appealed to Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar for intervention, marking the fourth day of an indefinite hunger strike led by students. The strike, coupled with campus protests, has disrupted operations for the university’s nearly 5,000 students.The students, staging a sit-in outside NEHU Vice-Chancellor PS Shukla’s office, are demanding the dismissal of Shukla, as well as the registrar and deputy registrar, citing alleged incompetence.
Demonstrators escalated their protest by burning effigies of the officials. North Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) President Prof. Lakhon Kma stated that faculty members met with Governor Vijayashankar, the university’s chief rector, to outline their grievances. “We apprised the Governor about the turmoil, and he responded by urging all parties to submit recommendations to resolve the issue,” Kma noted.
Governor Vijayashankar expressed concern over the situation, stressing that students should be focused on their studies rather than protesting. Vice-Chancellor Shukla has appealed to students to engage in dialogue, emphasizing his commitment to resolving their grievances. He announced that a pro-Vice Chancellor for both the Tura and Shillong campuses would be appointed by month-end, addressing a key demand from the students.
