Gangtok: The students of Sikkim University on Friday gheraoed
the main administrative block from early morning, demanding early
construction of the permanent campus of the 10-year-old central
institution.
Later in the day, the students lifted their gherao after the
varsity authorities gave a written assurance to complete the
construction of the permanent campus by April 20, 2021, which is exactly
three years from today.
Students began assembling in front of the administrative block
from 9am and first took out a rally before laying siege to the building
at Tadong along NH10, and despite intermittent showers throughout the
day, refused to budge from the place. Till the filing of this report,
the students were still gathered at the spot, awaiting a written
assurance from the university authorities.
Dibyan Lama Khaiba, a student of the university, said the
Sikkim University Students' Association (SUSA) had submitted a
nine-point demand to the authorities and till a response in writing
came, the students would continue their agitation. "We braved the rain
and protested throughout the day, and if required, we will stay put here
throughout the night," he said.
The university, which came into existence on July 2, 2007, does not
have a permanent campus and operates from 40 hired buildings in and
around Gangtok. The permanent campus of the varsity is coming up at
Yangang in South Sikkim, which is about 55km from here.
Acting vice-chancellor of the university, Jyoti Prakash Tamang, had told The Telegraph
on Thursday night that the demand of the students was a legitimate one,
but the varsity authorities could do precious little in the absence of
funds. "The university had submitted a detailed project report (for the
construction of campus) in 2016. The cost of construction was estimated
at Rs 1,600 crore, but we have only got Rs 110 crore so far. The
construction has been going on in a piecemeal manner, and so far, only
the administration, academic and library buildings have been partially
constructed," he said.
Tamang said he understood why the students were agitated. "Let
them come and submit their memorandum. I will forward the same to the
University Grants Commission and the Union ministry of human resources
development."
The vice-chancellor said the university had acquired the Yangang land in 2013 and the construction of the campus began in 2017.
The Telegraph