The Assam University Diphu campus, strategically located along the Diphu-Lumding road, has become the epicenter of student activism as protests enter their second consecutive day. Organized by the Student Unity Forum, students are voicing a series of demands aimed at improving the academic environment and overall student welfare on campus. Among their key requests are the filling of vacant faculty positions, the appointment of qualified professors, the establishment of a student playground, and the enhancement of bus services.
The protests commenced yesterday when students gathered on university grounds to express their discontent. Today, the leaders of the Student Unity Forum articulated their grievances in front of the media, emphasizing that the Diphu campus is merely a name without the necessary infrastructure or conducive environment for effective learning. Currently, the university boasts 11 departments; however, alarming reports indicate that there is only a single professor in the Anthropology department, underscoring a critical shortage of faculty across various disciplines.
Student leaders highlighted their frustrations regarding the lack of attention from the Assam University administration based in Silchar. They accused the governing body of neglecting the developmental needs of the Diphu region, which has resulted in insufficient educational facilities. The silence from local representatives on these pressing issues has only added to the students’ sense of urgency. “We have no other option but to protest,” stated a member of the Student Unity Forum. This sentiment reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs at the campus.
General Secretary of the Student Unity Forum, Jirsong Timung, underscored the dire need for a fully operational university capable of serving the educational requirements of students across both hilly districts. “A full-fledged university is the only solution for higher education in our region,” Timung stated, encapsulating the aspirations of students who feel their educational futures are at stake.
