Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has played a pivotal role in temporarily halting the ongoing hunger strike by North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) students, marking a significant moment in the university’s administrative turmoil.
Led by Chief Justice IP Mukherji, the court instructed state authorities to counsel students on the potential medical dangers of their prolonged protest. The court emphasized that the Central government’s decision to form a two-member investigative committee should serve as a basis for the students to reconsider their strike.
Key to this development was the court’s directive that the students’ union be formally informed of three crucial documents: the court’s November 13 order, the Education Ministry’s November 19 communication, and an office order dated November 14.
Following these directives and medical consultations, the North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) announced on Wednesday that it would suspend its indefinite hunger strike, which began on November 6. The strike had effectively shut down the university, with students demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla and other top officials.
The decision to suspend the strike comes after three students, including NEHUSU President Sandy Sohtun, were hospitalized due to deteriorating health. While the hunger strike has ended, students have vowed to continue their protests with daily sit-in demonstrations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Ministry of Education has formed an inquiry committee, expected to deliver its findings within 2-3 days. Despite the suspension, NEHUSU has warned of renewed agitation if their demands, particularly the removal of the university’s leadership, are not addressed.
In a gesture of reconciliation, Vice-Chancellor in-charge Prof N Saha formally concluded the hunger strike by felicitating the student leaders, signaling a temporary resolution to the standoff. However, the situation remains tense, with students determined to ensure their grievances are adequately addressed.
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