Assam varsity prof suspended on charges of sexual harassment

Silchar: Authorities at Assam University, Silchar, have suspended an assistant professor facing accusations of sexually harassing female students.

Student protests at the university prompted the administration to issue a suspension order against Ajit Kumar Jena, an assistant professor in the social work department, on Wednesday.

A group of protesting students blocked the main gate of the university at 9 am, demanding legal action and Jena's suspension for alleged sexual harassment and abuse of power.

Chanting slogans such as ‘Ajit Jena murdabad' and ‘arrest Jena', a group of students led by ABVP and members of the Assam University Students Union (AUSU) blocked the gates and launched a protest. Holding placards, these students even resorted to burning tires outside the university gates. One protester said, "Even after 72 hours, the accused professor has neither been apprehended nor suspended, compelling us to amplify this protest with slogans resonating throughout the campus."

As the protest grew vociferous, Assam University vice-chancellor Rajive Mohan Pant and registrar Pradyosh Kiran Nath met with the students. It was only around 1.30pm that the protesting students withdrew their agitation, following a two-hour dialogue with the vice-chancellor and the registrar during which the decision to suspend the accused professor was announced.