Shillong, Nov 20: The prolonged unrest at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, has escalated into a full-blown crisis, prompting Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma to appeal to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for urgent intervention.
The turmoil began on October 25, 2024, when faculty and students initiated protests against the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and Deputy Registrar over unresolved grievances. The situation worsened when the North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) launched a hunger strike on November 5, demanding swift action, including the removal of Vice Chancellor Prof. PS Shukla.
“The health of the protesting students is a pressing concern, and the ongoing unrest is affecting the peaceful environment of the state as a whole,” Sangma wrote in his letter, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The hunger strike, which entered its 16th day on Wednesday, saw several students hospitalized due to deteriorating health. Despite being discharged, many resumed the strike, further alarming the administration and community leaders.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had previously visited the students, urging them to end their hunger strike and assuring support. However, the protests persisted, bringing academic and administrative operations at NEHU to a standstill.
Amid mounting health concerns and appeals from teachers and the community, NEHUSU has now temporarily suspended its hunger strike. “We will continue to protest through sit-ins and rallies outside the Vice Chancellor’s office on weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM until the Education Ministry’s inquiry committee submits its report,” a NEHUSU representative stated.
The students remain steadfast in their demands for Prof. Shukla’s removal and improvements in university administration, academics, and infrastructure. The inquiry committee’s findings are expected to be pivotal in determining the future of the protests.
The Education Minister emphasized the broader implications of the unrest, stating, “Timely intervention by the central government can restore normalcy at NEHU and safeguard the educational ecosystem in the region.”
