Tezpur University (File photo)

GUWAHATI: In a dramatic development amid the crisis at Tezpur University, which has been in complete shutdown for a week, senior-most faculty member Dhruba Bhattacharyya assumed charge as acting vice-chancellor suo motu on Thursday night, citing provisions of the Tezpur University Act, 1993.His move came just hours after VC Shambhu Nath Singh — who has been absent from campus for a long time — convened a board of management meeting in hybrid mode and appointed mass communications professor Joya Chakraborty as pro-VC.Although Chakraborty declined the post and no official notification was issued, the management’s decision triggered anger among the students and faculty, who denounced it as arbitrary and lacking consultation.On Thursday night, student groups marched and raised slogans demanding both the withdrawal of the alleged appointment and Shambu N Singh’s removal.Bhattacharyya, a professor of computer science and engineering, immediately informed the ministry of education of his assumption of office, stressing that his priority was to restore normalcy and conduct the stalled end-term exams from Dec 8.Statute 2(6) of the Tezpur University Act, 1993 mandates that if the VC’s office falls vacant due to death, resignation, or inability to perform duties, the pro-VC shall assume charge. If the pro-VC is unavailable, the senior-most professor shall perform the duties until a new VC takes office or the incumbent resumes duties.The agitation, led by the Tezpur University United Forum, began on Nov 29 and has paralysed all academic and administrative activity.Students and faculty accuse Singh of corruption, and mismanagement.