The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and the Rajiv Gandhi University Research Scholars’ Forum (RGURSF) have condemned the RGU administration for its “high-handedness” and “dictatorial attitude” towards the university’s students.

Condemning “the high-handedness of the RGU administration, leading to a hostile atmosphere in the lone central university of the state,” the AAPSU appealed to the RGU administration to immediately recall the show cause notice it issued to research scholar Prem Taba.

Following an emergency meeting, the union also expressed serious resentment against “the arbitrary nature and the tenor by which the hostel vacation order was previously issued to the students by the RGU administration.”

“We are really pained to see the happenings inside the university campus. Any attempt to stifle genuine democratic voice of the student community in RGU and other educational institutions in the state shall not be tolerated by the AAPSU,” AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai said.

The union also reiterated its demand that the state government release the pending stipends and scholarships of eligible students. It said it would follow up on the issue with the officials and ministers concerned and continue to press for the release of the pending stipends and scholarships for eligible students.

Expressing concern over the RGU administration’s calling in “paramilitary forces to the campus premises to handle and contain the university’s students peacefully protesting against the hostel eviction notice,” the RGURSF said it was also distressed to know that “a show cause notice was issued to research scholar Prem Taba for spearheading the protest.”

Feeling wronged by “such lackadaisical decisions taken by the administration,” the RGURSF said that it “firmly stands against the personal attack carried out by the administration on research scholar Prem Taba for representing the interest of the students.”

Also condemning “the dictatorial attitude of the administration for using its vested powers to suppress the dissenting voices,” the RGURSF said that it stands in solidarity with Taba, saying: “This kind of intimidation from the administration side to suppress students’ voices is unacceptable and uncalled for.”

The RGU Assam Students’ Forum (RGUASF) also issued a statement, saying that it stands in solidarity with PhD scholar Prem Taba and condemns the decision of the university authorities against him.