Barak students' body demands 80 per cent reservation for students of 5 districts in AU

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, Aug 3: In a memorandum submitted to the Vice-Chancellor of Assam University on Tuesday, All Cachar-Karimganj-Hailakandi Students’ Association (ACKHSA) has demanded reservation of 80% seats for the students of Barak Valley, Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts which fall under its jurisdiction. The student body has expressed its concern at the various administrative measures being adopted by the AU during the current admission procedure in PG and integrated courses affecting the larger interest of the students of the 5 districts.

 Rupam ndi Purkayastha, advisor of ACKHSA, reminded the Vice-Chancellor that the central university here was set up primarily to fulfill the academic aspirations of students of the districts specified. It was after a long and sustained movement by students and general people that their dream of a central university became a reality. Moreover, the students of this region come from economically backward background and are to depend upon this university for pursuing their higher education and with this in view, his immediate predecessor had relaxed marks for admission.

 Considered against the background, he reiterated reservation of seats to justify the very foundation and continuation of this central university. Rupam ndi Purkayastha further brought to his notice the fact that an additiol weightage of 20 was given to their total cumulative marks. This decision of the authority was helpful for the students of this area. The Vice-Chancellor, Dilip Kumar th, has been impressed upon to follow the procedure adopted last year for students seeking admission in various PG and integrated courses.

 For the people of Barak Valley, Assam University has come as a relief from social exclusion and harassment faced by students going outside for their higher studies. Apart from that ndi Purkayastha further pointed out that for the creation of this university, all out efforts have been made to reject NEHU campus here. This was the domint issue in building up a mass movement spearheaded by ACKHSA. Social exclusion faced by the students before the coming up of Assam University, he said, is a multi-dimensiol term that encompasses social, economic, political and cultural spheres. Exclusion is linked to the recognition of social identities, resource allocations and power relations.

 ACKHSA has demanded re-advertisement of seats vacant in all the departments to eble the students of this region get preference for admission. If the authorities concerned of the University continue to follow a rigid procedure in admission, it is definitely going to deal a blow to the growth and development of this university, a symbol of hopes and aspirations of the 40 lakh people of Barak Valley. Besides, it will also be a blow to the movement of more than a decade by ACKHSA. It has been made to understand that ACKHSA is also a part of Assam University and its demands raised from time to time are for the betterment of the University and its student community. It is their expectation that the Vice-Chancellor would consider their representation with the seriousness it deserves. Besides Rupam ndi Purkayastha, the memorandum was signed by 8 other conveners of the student organization.