Woman faculty member to be new Dean of Academics at NIT, Silchar

The woman faculty member will take charge as new Dean (Academics) on Monday

After more than a week-long deadlock, violence, and an indefinite hunger strike by students (which was called off last night during which 8 students were hospitalised and 10 fainted), situation has turned normal at NIT Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district.

On Monday, a woman faculty member would take charge as the Dean of Academics. She is being brought in to pacify the agitating students who demanded removal of Dr BK Roy as Dean of Academics because the students held him responsible for the death of a fellow student, Koj Buker who died by suicide as he allegedly did not get any help or positive response from Dean Roy with regard to some problems he was facing with his studies. As per information, Koj had gone to meet Dean Roy but was refused an audience. This apparently further hurt and disturbed Koj resulting in him ending his life in his hostel room.

Speaking to Northeast Live about the changes made, Prof Dilip Kumar Baidya, Director, NIT, Silchar said, “Prof BK Roy was appointed just before I joined, I started working with him, he has lots of positive quality. But somehow it is not reaching to the students, may be due to communicaiton gap, they are not feeling comfortable. So I thought that the purpose for which I have kept the Dean if it is not served appropriately than it is not right. Then I have to think and see how to run the institute smoothly particularly the academic part. I have already decided as to who will be the new Dean. I thought that at this moment one woman faculty would be appropriate in terms of motherly care, attitude, that sometimes reduces the gap.”

“From Monday onwards everything will be normal, and I hope we will be doing better with time,” Baidya added.

Sharing details, about the NIT’s decision not to take action against the agitating students, Baidya said, “My objective was to at least resolve this hunger strike so that things become normal. For the time being I decided to accept (demand by students) that I will not take action or any administrative step against them. Investigations are going on, whatever outcome will be there based on that it will be decided as to what should be done that will happen later on but from my side I assured them that we are not going to take any action against them for resorting to protest.”

When asked about as to how NIT authorities reached out to the family of the deceased, the Director said, “Immediately after the incident, I almost spent the whole day with his father, and discussed about how to send the body, post mortem, expenditure and whatever support was required, we provided them immediately. We also told them to tell us without hesitation, if they needed more help. Our Registrar, Dean everybody contacted them and they were quite satisfied with whatever we have done. They do not have any grievance against us. Even we are still open, if they require some financial support, then we are ready to provide.”

Kin’s suicide triggered massive protests. First the students gheraoed the former Dean’s residence and held him and his family hostage, after that close to 2000 students sat on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the removal of Dean Roy from the position of Dean.

A personal apology from the Director, removal of Dean Roy and assurance from the Director that all other demands of the students including focusing on students’ mental health and no action will be taken against agitating students finally brought peace back to the NIT campus.

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