Groups speak up for NEHU Garo students

TURA: Several organisations from Garo Hills have raised the issue of difficulties faced by Garo students in pursuing higher studies at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU). They have urged the university authority to maintain the reservation policy during new admissions as well as transparency in conducting entrance examination for students for selection to different departments.
Organisations including the GSMC, GSU CEC and the All A’chik Youth Welfare Society (AAYWS) submitted a memorandum to NEHU Pro Vice Chancellor in Tura on Tuesday alleging that students belonging to the Garo community are facing difficulties in pursuing higher studies due to various anomalies in the university.
“It has been learned that many local youths aspiring to pursue higher studies in different departments have been denied admissions as the state’s reservation policy was not followed in the allocation of seats by the institution,” the organisations said. They demanded that first preference should be given to students belonging to the Garo community.
While appreciating the practice of entrance exams and personal interview for selecting students for admissions in different departments, the organisations stated that conducting the same for fresh admissions as well has made way for manipulation and discrimination. Therefore, they suggested that while the same may be continued, screening of students for allotment of seats should be done with transparency and not to deprive and discriminate the students.
The organisations also sought re-examination of the answer scripts as well as personal interview results of students. They also demanded setting up of the university’s administrative cell in Tura to enable correction of documents and other requirements.
It may be mentioned that due to the absence of the administrative cell in Tura, students from Garo Hills, at present, are required to travel to Shillong, even for minor corrections.