Namchi, Sikkim: Some 800-odd students of NIT Sikkim, who were on protest since July-end to press for their long-pending demands like a permanent campus, are all set to resume classes from Tuesday.
The development comes following a verbal assurance from state additional chief secretary GP Upadhayaya on Sunday. The official said arrangements will be made to provide land to the institute for a permanent campus before October 2.
Since its inception in 2010, students of the premier institute have been up in arms against poor infrastructure, inadequate facilities and lack of medical facilities, thanks to the Centre and the state government turning a blind eye to their problems.
To press for their long-pending demands, like the allotment of a permanent campus and providing adequate infrastructural facilities at the NIT, located in Ravangla in south Sikkim, students of the prominent educational institute have been staging a series of agitations since July-end. As part of this, 25 students were on hunger strike since September 5. Due to their deteriorating health conditions, two students, one from UP and the other from Bihar, were hospitalised on Friday evening.
Speaking on behalf of the entire student community, one of the senior students of the institute informed EastMojo that they will resume classes from Tuesday. Students have requested the institute officials to allow them a day off on Monday to prepare for their classes starting from Tuesday.
The agitating students further said that as per the assurance given by the senior state government official, classes will be held on a regular basis till October 2. “We are hopeful of the assurance given by the official,” the student said, adding: “However, we want the campus to be located outside Ravangla.”
