Right from morning today, students gathered outside the new VC’s office and shouted slogans against him after he took over charge. Slogans like: “Go away Prof Rai, NEHU not a dumping ground for tainted people” and others, ranted the otherwise quiet NEHU office campus here.
Prof Rai, who served in the University for 26 years and is credited for setting up the Bio-chemistry department here said, he was a “little hurt” by the students’ opposition against him. His request to hold a meeting with the Meghalaya Tribal Students’ Coordination Committee, spearheading the move to remove him, was rejected.
“We would have no talks with Prof Rai. We have served him a deadline till 4 pm this evening or else we would intensify our agitation,” Kynpham Kharlyngdoh, chairman of the committee said.
Prof Rai was seen removing paraphernalia of the former NEHU VC, Pramod Tandon with the help of staff in the morning. He said he would meet the teachers and staff of the Central University to set things in order. “There is nothing hidden about my image. The staff at NEHU know me for the past 26 years and the same can be inquired from Mizoram University where I served as its VC for the past four odd years,” the new VC said in an impromptu press meet, amidst continued slogan shouting by students.
The bio-chemist said he hoped that the students would see reason behind his appointment. “This is a Central University and a select committee of the Human Resource Department recommended my name and the President of India who is the Visitor of the University appointed me. If the students have any opposition things can be sorted out reasonably and through proper channel,” the new VC said.
Hinting that he would not add to the turmoil in the University, Prof Rai said, he would take a “reasonable decision” at the right time.
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