NIT Silchar Suicide Case: Authorities appeal students to call off protest, not force authorities to close institute indefinitely

As the students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar in Assam’s Cachar district continue to protest demanding justice for fellow student Koj Buker, who was found hanging in his hostel room on September 15, the NIT authorities today appealed to the students to call off their protest, resume their classes and help restore normalcy in the campus.

The authorities appealed to resume classes as well as other academic activities so that the academic environment of the institute is maintained and the authority is not forced to close the institute for an indefinite period or take any other stern action.

“The institute has been going through a critical situation during last few days as the students instead of attending classes and labs are on an agitation. This is not an ideal situation for an academic institution. Every problem can be sorted out in an ambience of mutual trust and discussion and the institute has been constantly exploring all possibilities including regular interactions with the student community to settle the issues.
Further, avenues for interaction and mutual discussion are always kept open in the interest of the institute. It is therefore fervently appealed to the students to call off all sort of agitation and resume the classes as well as other academic activities so that the academic environment of the institute is maintained and the authority is not constrained to close the institute for an indefinite period or to take any stern action,” the institute said in a statement.

NIT Silchar authorities said that the institution has been going through a critical situation for last few days as the students are agitating instead of attending classes.

Koj Buker died by suicide on September 15. He was a resident of Arunachal Pradesh and was a boarder at hostel number 7.

It is alleged that he was reportedly facing issues with his studies and was trying to reach out to his professors and the Dean for assistance.

He tried to meet with the Dean, but the Dean allegedly denied his request and treated him disrespectfully, which compelled him to take this extreme step.

Investigation into the matter is underway and the Dean (Academics) of the institute, Dr Binoy Krishna Roy who was held responsible for Buker’s suicide has already been replaced after students sought his resignation.

The protesting students have also submitted a memorandum with as many as six major demands to the NIT authorities. The agitating students are seeking a high-level committee for academic reforms to minimize the pressure on them.

Also Read: NIT Silchar suicide: Students’ hunger strike enters day 4, six students fall ill

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