NERIST lockdown

ES Reporter

 ITANAGAR, Mar 1:The indefinite shutdown of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) called by Student Union of NERIST (SUN), took a new turn on Thursday after eight students went on “hunger strike till death" following last two days campus bandh which yielded no result.

The 34-year-old -NERIST, which is considered as one of the premiere institute with hundreds of students under its campus has been under lockdown and classes remained suspended since last two day in protest against non deputation of a regular director to run the institute proficiently and effectively.

Hapless and dejected over the lack of response from Government of India and any sign of process working in their favour, eight students namely- Ige Riram, Karli Lollen ,Dikkar Taji, Taw Hari Tara, Jon Tamin, Rakesh Roy, Rupam Khargharia ,Kipa Tacha choose to sit on a  hunger strike for betterment of their fellow students and the institute.

The agitating students are adamant not to return to their classes until their demands for a regular Director for the institute was fulfilled by Ministry of Human Resources and Development, Govt of India immediately.  “More will join if situation continues to be like this,” hinted an agitating student.

 Meanwhile reiterating its demands, SUN, NERIST, President, B Natung termed the absence of a head to watch over the deteriorating condition of the institute as a key factor affecting the teaching-learning process in the institute.

“We are not interested in vague assurances nor will stop our protest with mere lip services by anyone today”, said Natung while recalling the assurance given by Minister of State, Kiren Rijiju to the students few months back.

Natung said that, if assurances have to be made then it should come in written form or else the strike will go on. We are not here to listen to empty talks, we have had enough of it, he added. 

Meanwhile, State BJP President Tapir Gao who rushed to the campus this evening with State BJP, General Secretary, Jarpum Gamlin has requested the agitating students to withdraw their strike and apprised that union minister of MHRD Paraksh Javadekar has given his word to provide a Director in one week’s time.

Divulging that the party had conducted meeting to solve the stalemate over the issue in the afternoon, Gao said that he personally interacted with Javadekar and briefed him about the situation.

Acknowledging the plight of students, the BJP chief said that the Union Minister is well aware about the grievances of the student community and assured to put an end to the deadlock once and forever, but sought a week’s time to do it.

President of AAPSU Hawa Bagang, extended unflinching support to the cause of SUN’s demand.  

"We will not back off from the agitation till an official order of the posting of a Director is shown to us," added Bagang. 

Also speaking to the emotionally fraught students, AAPSU General Secretary Tobom Dai said that their struggle won’t go in vain. We on our part are doing our best and our support shall always remain, he said.

 The protest which entered its third day on Thursday was supported by student’s bodies of  Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura etc.

Meanwhile in solidarity with the agitating students, a peaceful protest rally was also held today at Rajiv Gandhi University campus which was led by Prof Nani Bath and participated by members from AAPSU, RGUSU, SUN and RGURSF members. 

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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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