GU reverses decision to shut down hostels amid student protests

Guwahati: Gauhati University students surrounded the vice-chancellor and registrar’s residences on Sunday night, demanding the reversal of the decision to close two postgraduate hostels.
This decision followed a clash between student groups during the recent PGSU election, with infighting allegedly exacerbated by the presence of outside students, including ex-students, staying in the hostels.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma instructed the vice-chancellor, Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, not to compromise campus security.
Consequently, on Monday, the university authorities announced the withdrawal of the decision to temporarily close the RCC-I and RCC-II boys’ hostels. Power supply and water supply were ordered to be restored and support staff were re-deployed. But university authorities said they will keep a strict vigilance to stop night stays of ex-boarders.
CM Sarma emphasised the importance of maintaining discipline in universities and hostels. “I have told GU VC that election-related clashes tarnish our reputation. Especially when it happens in universities and hostels. Parents send their wards to govt hostels with high hopes.”
He also mentioned similar issues at Dibrugarh University due to a lack of discipline and emphasised the need to restrict ex-students’ access to university premises at night.
The notification added that boarders may continue staying at their respective hostels by showing hostel admission or re-admission pay-in slips to the wardens concerned after the Puja holidays. It was also clarified that there was no decision to change the names of the hostels.