The absence of the Vice Chancellor has created an administrative vacuum in the functioning of NEHU. Amid mounting student protests and administrative gridlock, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) is grappling with a leadership crisis intensified by the absence of Vice Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla.
As students continue an indefinite hunger strike and demand his resignation, the Vice Chancellor’s unavailability has led to a halt in critical university functions, including the declaration of examination results, leaving the campus in turmoil.
The Vice Chancellor is reportedly conducting meetings remotely from an undisclosed location following a recent incident in which his official residence was attacked, resulting in property damage and minor injuries to Prof. Shukla. In his absence, he has not delegated authority to a senior officer, effectively halting critical administrative functions, including the declaration of examination results.
Dr. Sumarbin Umdor, Professor and Controller of Examinations (In-Charge) at NEHU, stated, “The rules are very clear: if the VC is not on campus or out of station, the senior-most professor takes over because there cannot be a vacuum.” He explained that while he is ready to release examination results, he needs the Vice Chancellor’s formal approval. “These are confidential documents; I cannot send them by email or scan them. They require the VC’s signature to maintain confidentiality,” Dr. Umdor noted.
The lack of a formal handover has delayed the release of results for Ph.D. students and other programs, which were completed months ago.
The crisis has intensified as the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit lead a series of protests demanding the resignation of the Vice Chancellor, Registrar Omkar Singh, and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta. Student-led hunger strikes, gate lockdowns, and effigy burnings underscore widespread frustration with what protestors describe as administrative negligence, power misuse, and leadership failures. NEHUSU is pressing for the appointment of Pro Vice Chancellors at NEHU’s Shillong and Tura campuses to stabilize university operations, which have become increasingly volatile.
The situation escalated further on Saturday night when protestors reportedly vandalized Prof. Shukla’s official residence, damaging his vehicle and causing minor injuries. Following the incident, the Vice Chancellor left for an undisclosed location, and the university’s registrar-in-charge has filed an FIR against unknown individuals involved in the attack.