Shillong- Students at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong have temporarily suspended their 16-day hunger strike demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla and other officials. The decision, announced Wednesday evening by NEHU Students' Union (NEHUSU) President Sandy Sohtun, comes due to deteriorating health conditions among the protesting students.

The students began their hunger strike on November 5, alleging incompetence and illegality in the appointments of key university figures, including Registrar Colonel (retired) Omkar Singh and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta. While the hunger strike has been suspended, the university will remain closed, and classes will continue to be suspended until their demands are met.

"The agitation would continue, although in a curtailed manner," Sohtun stated, outlining plans for a sit-in protest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in front of the V-C's office. NEHUSU General Secretary Toniho S. Kharsati emphasized that the suspension is temporary, pending the findings and recommendations of an inquiry committee formed by the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education formed a two-member inquiry committee led by former UGC Chairman D. P. Singh and former Assam University Vice Chancellor Dilip Chandra Nath are members. Officials expect the committee members to arrive in Shillong by Wednesday or Thursday. The committee has been tasked with investigating the students' allegations and submitting its report within 15 days.

The NEHUSU protest has garnered support from various organizations, including the North East Students' Organisation (NESO), the Khasi Students Union's NEHU unit, and the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers' Association. The students have also appealed to President Droupadi Murmu for her intervention in the matter.

Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam Sangma confirmed that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had spoken with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan regarding the situation. The Ministry of Education had previously appealed to the students to end their protest and resume academic activities.

(Source- IANS)