Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), Meghalaya’s Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma stated that he would investigate the matter to uncover the root cause of the issue. While the Meghalaya government is not immediately seeking clarification from the university, Sangma emphasized that they would observe the situation for some time before taking further steps.
Speaking to the media in Shillong, Sangma admitted that he had limited information about the controversy but expressed his intent to get to the bottom of it. He acknowledged that USTM falls under Meghalaya’s jurisdiction and confirmed that the state would eventually reach out to the University for Clarification once more details emerge.
“I don’t have any idea on this. I don’t have any comments on this but anything has happened let’s find out what is the button line,” the Education Minister said.
Asked if he will seek report from the University, Sangma said , Let’s wait sometimes and see the further development happens, definitely if thing have happen then definitely (will seek report) but first we have to find out what really happened, how far it is the fact, to what extent, what went wrong where.”
When pointed out that USTM falls under Meghalaya, Sangma said, “ Definitely this falls under the jurisdiction of the state of Meghalaya definitely we have to reach out to them we have to find out the bottom of the issue.”
When questioned about the “Flood Jihad” allegation made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who claimed that USTM’s actions had contributed to severe water logging in Guwahati, Sangma suggested that environmental experts should weigh in on the matter. He agreed that USTM’s activities might have contributed to the issue but cautioned against oversimplifying the cause of the flooding.
“If it is true like the environment expert will be the best person to comment on this, water logging, the flood may be so this may not be the sole reason this must have added to some extend but this is not altogether the reason for flood, damage may be this is one of the reason, may be upto some extent but we cannot sum up or nobody should sum up this is because of this it has happened,” Sangma said.
The Education Minister also mentioned that if necessary, he would seek a report from the university to clarify the situation further.
The controversy has garnered significant attention, especially after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remarks, which included allegations that the university’s architectural design resembles Mecca, raising concerns over the intent behind the construction.
The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), located in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district has come under the radar of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who recently said his government would move the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against a private university of Meghalaya, which, he claimed, demolished hills on its campus leading to large-scale water logging in Guwahati.