Agitation withdrawn after Assam University Authority met rebelling students; Resolution signed, president candidate's nomination to be scrutinised

Assam University Silchar’s administration today called a meeting with the agitating students at 10 AM. The meeting was attended by representatives from District Administration Cachar, representatives of the university administration along with a representation of the students who blocked the main entrance of the varsity on July 27. The Vice Chancellor of the university chaired the meeting in the presence of Assistant Commissioner, Hemasri Deka from the District Administration.

In the meeting, several demands were placed in front of the university by the agitating students for consideration. Among the several demands, the age relaxation in the case of LLM students contesting in the Assam University Student’s Union Election was primary. They have also demanded to expedite the inquiry against Subhamoy Chanda, a presidential candidate. They have also demanded his attendance to be verified by the Election Commission of the varsity. Their last demand was to permit Pallab Dey, whose nomination was rejected, to represent the students as and when required.

Based on the demands placed, the administrative body passed four resolutions in today’s meeting. On age relaxation for LLM students in the constitution of AUSU, the resolution read, “The matter will be placed before the competent authorities and due consideration will be given. In principle, it is agreed that the case of LLM is a special one, which requires due consideration”. Regarding the inquiry against Subhamoy Chanda, the presidential candidate, the resolution said, “Complaints submitted directly to Assam University authorities will be immediately looked into and expedited in a time-bound manner. However, any other complaints arising out of election 2022 will also be similarly looked into”.

The representatives in the meeting, regarding the attendance of Subhamoy Chanda have asked the aggrieved students to submit a complaint with the Observer of the Election 2022 or Grievance Cell for consideration. They’ve also assured it will be immediately looked into.

Based on the demand for the former presidential candidate, Pallab Dey to represent students as and when required, the resolution has denied the same. Rather the resolution said, the LLM student is welcomed like any other student at a personal level or individual level without creating any hindrance or disturbance to the normal functioning of the university. “Any student representation should be routed through the elected body as per norms. Parallel unauthorized unions can not be permitted”, the resolution concluded.

The meeting chaired by VC Prof. Rajive Mohant Pant was also attended by Dr. Pradosh Kiran Nath, Registrar along with Dean and Deputy Dean of Student Welfare, Librarian and eight student representatives who were in the demonstration yesterday.