ES Reporter 

DOIMUKH, Oct 17: A group of students led by the Rajiv Gandhi Students Union (RGUSU) vandalized the office of the Vice Chancellor RGU over its representation seeking revival of the Prefect system in the university’s hostels. The personal security officers (PSOs) and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Saket Kushwaha were also hurt during the incident.
A few days ago, the newly-formed students union of the University had submitted a representation to the University authority for revival of the earlier Prefect system in the hostels. The file was being discussed and processed according to the established procedure of the University that requires discussion and recommendation by the Academic Council which has to be further approved by the Executive Council of the University. Today an unruly group of students consisting of the members of the RGUSU forcibly entered the Vice Chancellor’s chamber by breaking the door and vandalized the office causing extensive damages to the furniture, equipments and many office items, the University said in a statement today.
Speaking to reporters, Senior Security Officer of RGU, Techi Badal informed that group of students led by the RGUSU member entered the office of the VC and vandalised the office. "Today’s incident is condemnable; I was there during the incident and despite repeated request to the students they carried out the vandalism.
There are various ways to express dissatisfaction on any issue, but today's incident was not democratic."
The Prefect system in the hostels of the University was abolished in 2021 following complaints of unethical behaviour, financial misconducts and misuse of the powers of Prefect by those who were in charge of the position. The New General Hostel Rules were approved in the Academic Council’s 32nd meeting held on the 16th of March 2021 vide item no. AC:32:06 and later confirmed by the Executive Council during its 39th meeting held on June 10, 2021 vide item no. EC:39:04. The University had substituted the Prefect system with a robust system by appointing a chief warden, two Wardens for each hostel assisted by a committee which includes members of student-boarders from the same hostel so that the genuine demands of the student-boarders is met. The students through these committees manage the day-to-day activities of the hostel, including running of mess, the University said.
If reports are to be believed, RGUSU members were seeking appointment from the VC to get updates on the revival of the Prefect System. However, the situation turned ugly after the authority failed to give proper response to their representation.  
Meanwhile, RGUSU has served ten days ultimatum to the RGU authority to clear the issue on whether the prefect system will be revived or not.
However, in regard to the demand of the student union in regard to the restoration of Prefect system, the University authority is yet to decide on the matter but the students pre-empt that it is an unfair restriction of prefect system while the same is still under process. The incident has been reported to the law-enforcing authority.
Such display of violence by the students, and that too leaders of the students community, is deplorable and it is desirable that law should take its own course, the Rajiv Gandhi University said in an official statement this evening.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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