After a discussion with VC Assam University students calls off hunger strike

The hunger-strike by members of the Research Scholars’ Forum, Assam University and Assam University Students’ Union, was withdrawn on Saturday evening after the varsity authorities provided a written assurance that their demands would be fulfilled.

The students had been staging a protest for the past five days seeking fulfillment of various demands including fellowship to research scholars, proper facilities for B. Pharma students and repair of roads in the varsity campus among others.

Around 5:30pm on Saturday evening, the hunger strike was withdrawn. The authorities gave a written assurance on fulfillment of their demands.

Prior to that, the students at a news conference today had spoken about their demands including a probe into alleged embezzlement of funds released for Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc) programme at the varsity.

Milon Das, president of the Research Scholars’ Forum, Assam University claimed that an amount of Rs. 1.56 crore was released for B.Voc programme in 2015, but the students (who had taken admission in the programme) are yet to complete it. There were hardly any classes and examinations were not conducted too. The varsity authorities have been avoiding the matter whenever approached, he alleged.

He said the department (of B.Voc programme) is on the verge of being closed leaving the future of students in doom.

Das also spoke about the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharma) course at the university and said despite being one of the oldest courses of the varsity, there is no proper infrastructure available. There is no permanent building and no air-conditioning facilities (which is necessary for pharma studies). Surprisingly, Masters’ degree in Pharmacy (M. Pharma) course is not available at the varsity, he said.

About the condition of roads inside the varsity campus, Das said many roads had been in a dilapidated condition for years, but the authorities remain in oblivion and does not take steps despite the matter being brought to attention a number of times in the past. About fellowship, he said research scholars have not received their fellowship so far. He demanded that all the roads be repaired and fellowship be provided to the research scholars at the earliest.

Abhinandan Mahanta, president of Assam University Students’ Union, Munmi Gogoi, vice-president of Research Scholars’ Forum, Arup Malakar, general secretary and Gulabsa Choudhury, assistant general secretary were also present.