Sandy Sohtun, President of the North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU), was admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of Shillong Civil Hospital after his health deteriorated significantly due to an ongoing hunger strike. Sohtun, reportedly experiencing blurred vision and other concerning symptoms, was hospitalised as part of the protest that has seen NEHU students rallying for administrative reforms.
The students, who began their hunger strike to press for several demands, including the resignation of NEHU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, registrar, and other officials, have shown no sign of relenting. They previously locked down the university campus on November 6 as part of their protest actions.
In response to the escalating situation, the Ministry of Education announced on November 14 the formation of an investigative committee to probe the alleged mismanagement at the university. The ministry’s order cited “serious concerns raised by students, student associations, and media reports,” underscoring the urgency to address the students’ grievances.
