Assam: CIT Kokrajhar students’ protest intensifies, BoNSU raises seven-point charter

The Bodo National Students’ Union (BoNSU) has launched a two-day sit-in protest at the Central Institute of Technology (CIT), Kokrajhar, demanding improved hostel facilities, safe and hygienic food for students and changes in the institute’s administration.

The organisation has submitted a seven-point charter of demands, which includes measures to ensure the provision of safe and healthy food to hostel residents, removal of officiating Registrar Professor Hemanta Kumar Kalita and appointment of a new Registrar, appointment of a permanent Director and appointment of a Chairperson of the Governing Body.

The protest comes days after several students of the Gambari Sikhla Girls’ Hostel reportedly fell ill on the night of September 26 after consuming food allegedly served under unhygienic conditions. The affected students were subsequently provided medical treatment.

Following the incident, students staged a protest on the CIT campus on Monday, demanding action from the institute authorities and accountability over the reported food-related illness.

BoNSU has now intensified the agitation with the two-day sit-in, calling for immediate measures to address hostel-related concerns and what it has described as administrative shortcomings at the institute.

Manonjoy Daimary, an adviser to BoNSU, said the organisation would continue its agitation until the authorities take appropriate action on its demands.

The developments come amid concerns raised by students over hostel food and facilities at the institute following the reported illness of students last week.