GUWAHATI: Students at Tezpur University, a central varsity in BJP-governed Assam, brought academic and administrative activities to a standstill on Tuesday, continuing protests for VC Shambhu Nath Singh’s removal.They accuse Singh — who is absent from the campus — of being involved in “academic irregularities” and disrespecting Zubeen Garg by holding student council polls a day after the Assam cultural icon’s death when the state was in mourning.The students have now locked the main entrance and key buildings, dramatically escalating the standoff that has been raging for weeks now.With no signs of a solution, future of thousands of students hangs in balance. University authorities have reached out to Assam governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya for assistance in resolving the situation, particularly with rescheduled semester-end exams set to begin on Dec 8.Varsity staff have backed the stir, questioning Singh’s appointments, claiming procurements at inflated prices and voicing concerns about infrastructure quality. “VC is absent and it is like a lockdown. He should resign immediately. An acting VC should be appointed,” said a functionary of TU United Forum, which includes students, teachers, and non-teaching staff.Earlier, a team from education ministry had assessed the situation. The issue was raised in Parliament and the assembly by opposition lawmakers.
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