The Ministry of Education has ordered Tezpur University Vice-Chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh to go on leave immediately. A three-member enquiry panel will investigate several allegations against him. Officials say, "A three-member enquiry panel has been set up to probe all matters related to the ongoing situation in Tezpur University, including allegations levelled against the Vice-Chancellor. The VC shall recuse himself from all duties and proceed on leave immediately and shall remain on leave till completion of the enquiry." The enquiry panel must submit its report within three months. Since mid-September, the university has seen rising protests. Students accuse the VC of irregularities and of disrespecting the late cultural icon Zubeen Garg while the state mourned. The protests included a 24-hour hunger strike on December 29, marking 100 days of agitation. The Ministry also appointed Amrendra Kumar Das from IIT Guwahati's Department of Design as the new Pro Vice-Chancellor. The situation worsened after an argument between the VC and students on September 22, forcing Mr. Singh to leave the campus. Eleven faculty members and senior officials have resigned over the ongoing turmoil. Besides fiscal irregularities, students and faculty allege deforestation and ecological damage at the campus under Mr. Singh’s leadership. The Ministry’s swift action comes as the university struggles to regain calm.