SHILLONG, NOV 13: A united front of students and faculty at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has rejected the vice chancellor’s decision to appoint new pro-vice chancellors for the Shillong and Tura campuses. NEHU Teachers’ Association described the appointments as “almost like mockery of the whole situation,” echoing the students’ discontent.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, NEHUSU general secretary Toniho Kharsati said, “We do not welcome the decision that is being taken by the VC for the matter of fact we condemn the decision of the VC saying appointing pro vice chancellors in both the campuses of Shillong and Tura.”
“Let me put the record straight that we have started this indefinite hunger strike on one basic demand that is the removal of the VC. We were eagerly waiting for the response from the VC as we have seen that even the CM had stated that by evening we will get a favourable response. This response instead of the VC leaving the campus and him appointing the pro vice chancellors is something which the students union doesn’t accept at all. We will boycott this decision,” he stated.
The student leader had also expressed reservation against notification issued by the assistant registrar (planning) when it should have been issued by the joint registrar establishment.
“Therefore, this act of the VC in taking a decision (while) staying outside the university and not following the rules is something which students’ union heavily condemn and we do not see any merit in such decision and we boycott the decision of the VC,” he added.
Meanwhile, NEHUTA president Prof. Lakhon Kma voiced his concerns over procedural irregularities and raised doubts about the legitimacy of the process. Prof. Kma stated, “I think this appointment should be thrown to the dustbin; the notification itself is wrong.” He elaborated, explaining that the “notification comes from Assistant Registrar Planning, who is sitting where we don’t know because it has to come from the establishment.”
Expressing frustration over the vice-chancellor’s actions, he remarked, “This is almost like mockery of the whole situation. This vice chancellor is still planning his dirty trick.” However, Prof. Kma remained optimistic about the integrity of the appointees, saying, “The only thing is these two respectable professors that we have, one from Shillong and one from Tura, Prof. Sungoh and Prof. Marak, I guess will not play puppet in the hand of the Vice Chancellor.”