Shillong, Nov 15: In a major development, the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Prabha S. Shukla has gone on leave.
Friday is the 11th day of the students’ indefinite hunger strike led by North Eastern Hill University Students Union (NEHUSU) and supported by the KSU-NEHU unit.
VC Shukla has gone on earned leave of 12 days, which can be extended if needed.
He cited “unavoidable circumstances” for taking earned leave from November 15 and leave from November 17 to November 29, with the possibility of extension if required.
During his absence, the senior most professor of the university, Prof. N. Saha or others, will take charge of the VC’s duties.
The students have been protesting against various issues, including academic and administrative irregularities, and have demanded the VC’s resignation and removal of Registrar and Deputy Registrar as well.
They are also demanding appointments of Pro VCs for Shillong and Tura campuses.
Recently, after the VC refused to step down as VC, the students and teachers demanded that he should go on a long leave by handing over charge to the senior most faculty as acting VC.
With the latest development, which is in line with the demands of the teachers and students, the decision of the protesting students is awaited.
On Thursday evening, the Ministry of Education constituted a 2-member committee to probe the allegations of administrative irregularities in the university.
 Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Prabha S. Shukla has gone on leave.){kind=link}