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NEHU students to resume classes today

By Correspondent

SHILLONG, Nov 8 � Students of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have decided to return to their classes tomorrow after the Meghalaya Government assured that their demand was being looked into by the Centre.

The students have been agitating for weeks, boycotting classes after Prof AN Rai was appointed as the University Vice Chancellor. The students are opposed to his appointment to the post and want a tribal VC instead. The students today met Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to discuss ways to put an end to the agitation in the University.

Sangma met the agitating students and assured that their demand has been conveyed to the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry. A three-member team had visited the State recently and held discussions with the students and government officials here.

NEHU being a Central University a search committee of the HRD Ministry recommends the name of prospective VCs. Prof Rai was recommended from a list of three others. The President of India approved Prof Rai as the VC.

However, the students and staff of the University alleged that the search committee consisted of members affiliated to the University, which is against the statute of the Central University. Sangma said these issues would be taken up with the Centre.

In the meantime, the State Government is also waiting for the report of the three-member HRD committee. The report is vital as its recommendation would ensure whether Prof Rai stays as the VC or is removed.

On the other hand, senior faculty members of the University were trying to reason with the students to continue with classes.

David Syiemlieh, Controller of Examinations and a prospective tribal candidate for the VC�s post has been playing the role of mediator to solve the issue. Recently, he requested the students to continue classes and not let agitations come in the way of semester examinations.

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