Itanagar: The eight-day standoff between students of the North East Regional Institute of Science and Technology (Nerist) in Arunachal Pradesh and the Union ministry of human resource development came to an end on Tuesday with a cabinet committee finally appointing a regular director.

An appointment order issued by the committee, which has Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh as its primary members, affirmed that H.S. Yadav of the institute's chemistry department will be the new Nerist director for a period of five years.

The institute has been functioning without a regular director for the past four years. Its several students sat on a relay fast and hit the streets since February 27.

"We welcome the appointment, but we are not happy with the person who has been appointed," president of the Students' Union of Nerist (SUN) Banta Natung said, adding that their demand was for the appointment of a director from outside the institute.

"The HRD ministry, it seems, still does not understand the gravity of the situation at Nerist. It is evident that it is neglecting the institute. Moreover, if it had to appoint a director from within the institute, why was the issue stretched for so long?" Natung asked, adding that Yadav is a "controversial" person.

According to Natung, Yadav was the director in-charge of the university from 2009-13 and his stint as the in-charge has been a debatable one.

The students' leader said as their agitation is still on , they will disclose their future course of action on Wednesday in a news conference.

The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU), which is supporting Nerist students, has, however, welcomed the HRD ministry's decision.

"AAPSU hopes that with the appointment of a new director, the academic atmosphere and administration on the Nerist campus will regain its lost glory. AAPSU also extends its thankfulness to all who stood with the union and the students' fraternity of Nerist in their endeavour and week-long struggle to save the glory of the premier institute," a statement from the union's spokesperson said.

It says: "AAPSU, however, would like to remind the new director of his manifold responsibilities on being anointed the director of the premier educational institute." Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju also extended his best wishes to the students and faculty of Nerist for the appointment of a director.