Meghalaya: Colleges Under NEHU Expected to Return to Normalcy as Protests Called Off

SHILLONG: After a meeting between the two factions on Thursday, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which was protesting against Vice Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla, decided to end their agitation. As a result, normalcy is finally expected to return to North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) as well as the protesting colleges.

JAC chairman Lakhon Kma declared that the organization would put an end to its agitations for the time being. The decision, he continued, was made in response to the request for five days to address all of their demands, which included the dismissal of Rohit Prasad from the university as a senior consultant and technical officer. According to Lakhon Kma, it was decided to establish two committees: one to examine the quota for educationally underdeveloped areas, with a student-elected chairman; and the other to investigate the marking scheme, dorm accommodations, and medical services. The second committee's chairman and members will be selected by the NEHU Academic Council.

He added that the VC had pledged to address the demand for the appointment of university engineers and statutory officers as well as release the teaching and non-teaching staff from their ministerial duties. Most of these issues will be discussed and a decision made at the Academic Council's next meeting, which is set for the first week of December. Lakhon Kma also disclosed that the VC has approved of students being able to have a representative on the Academic Council and that the university will arrange an annual convocation event.

Previously, in response to the demands of a protesting group at the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), the university administration had issued a statement to clarify their stance on the charter of demands and the issues raised by the protesters. NEHU's Vice-Chancellor, Prabha Shankar Shukla, highlighted that he had previously addressed the appointment of Rohit Prasad during a press conference held the week before. He further informed that interviews for the positions of Statutory Officers and University Engineer are scheduled for November 20th and 22nd, 2023, with preparations well underway.

 Also Read: Meghalaya: NEHU Administration Addresses Protesting Group's Demands and Promises Academic Stability

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