Bengalee body asks NEHU to act on sexual harassment plaints

TURA: The recent incident of alleged sexual harassment of students by a professor at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) here has not gone down well with the Bengalee Association in the town.
It has demanded that authorities concerned resolve the issue at the earliest.
The incident of the alleged harassment first came to light after a student complained to the Women’s Cell of NEHU in Shillong where she claimed that the professor of the Department of Rural Development and Agriculture Production had sent inappropriate text messages to her personal number.
There were further claims that she was not the only victim but others had received similar messages from the same professor.
A strong demand for action against the accused person was sought and a sit-in-demonstration was organised recently by GSU, FKJGP, AYWO and AAYF along with the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU).
Raising concern over the incident taking place in a reputed institution like NEHU, the Bengalee Association on Wednesday said the incident has brought a bad name not only to the particular department but also to the university.
“It appears that a reputed institution like NEHU is no longer a safe place for female students where a teacher has been accused of indecent behaviour.
The authorities must take a stand in resolving the crisis and keep no stone unturned to give justice to the students who come from different backgrounds,” the association said.