By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 25: An Assistant Professor in the Hindi Department of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Dr Alok Singh, filed a police complaint against NEHUSU president Sandy Sohtun and five other members of the union alleging that they assaulted him and threatened to kill him by holding scissors to his neck. The government has also assured action those involved.
The alleged incident took place on Thursday at around 4:45 pm.
In the FIR lodged with the Mawkynroh police outpost on Friday, Singh said the group forcibly locked him inside his office chamber. “As a result of this violent attack, I have sustained injuries to my head, legs, and hands. I am extremely distressed and traumatised by the incident. As a teacher, I now feel unsafe and fearful on campus,” he wrote in the FIR. He urged the police to take swift and appropriate action to ensure his safety and uphold the dignity of the institution.
Singh said the NEHUSU members stormed into his office and accused him of playing politics. He said when he had sought a clarification, they assaulted him, leaving him injured.
He added that he received first aid at the Shillong Civil Hospital where doctors said he did not require hospitalisation.
He urged the police to ensure the safety of the faculty members, emphasising that the assault on him could happen to anyone. He said he has been associated with NEHU since 2013, first as an MPhil and PhD student, before joining as an Assistant Professor in 2023.
“I want to give back to the university, as it has given me so much. I owe much of my personal growth and development to NEHU,” Singh told reporters after a gathering of university faculty members outside the Vice Chancellor’s office to condemn the incident.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said legal action is underway to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
NEHU authorities announced that the matter would be probed.
NEHU Public Relations Officer Prof Davidson Pyngrope said a committee will be formed to investigate the incident. No specific timeline has been set for the formation of the committee or for the submission of its report.
Stating that the university was made aware of the incident on Thursday evening and it condemned the incident, he said it was an act of physical aggression carried out by unidentified individuals against a member of the teaching staff.
“The police will carry out the necessary investigation to identify the individuals responsible and determine the circumstances that led to this act of violence,” Pyngrope said.
He urged the university fraternity, including students, to maintain the institute’s decorum.
The NEHUSU president could not be reached for comments.
Meanwhile, the NEHUTA Executive Committee met Singh to know his side of the story. The NEHUTA said it condemns any kind of physical assault on its members.
“We will play a constructive role in resolving the matter if there is a need for us to intervene,” NEHUTA president Lakhon Kma said.
Geology Department Assistant Professor Prof Devesh Walia voiced his concern, questioning the values being instilled in students.
“This incident raises serious questions about the kind of students we are grooming for the future,” he said, adding that those who attacked Singh seem to believe that the faculty members are against them.
“But we are not. We all want what is best for NEHU,” he said, noting his 35 years of service in the region.
He further stated that the faculty members are not focused on university politics and their primary concern remains delivering the highest quality education to students.
Govt assures action
The state government on Friday assured that legal action would be taken against the perpetrator involved in the alleged assault of the NEHU professor and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of faculty and students on campus.
“The law will take its own course. I have instructed the SP and law enforcement agencies to ensure that the security of NEHU is upheld,” said Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police), Prestone Tynsong.
When asked to elaborate on the security measures in place, Tynsong responded, “We have already provided adequate security. I don’t think I need to go into details — it’s the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of students and faculty.”
Addressing the concerns and prevailing sense of insecurity among faculty members, he added, “My request to everyone in the NEHU campus is—don’t worry and don’t be tense. The government has already strengthened security, and we will ensure everyone’s safety.”
“The law enforcement agencies are on the job to keep the campus secure,” he emphasized.
Expressing concern over the incident, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma said, “It is unfortunate, and the law will definitely take its course. I just had a word with the SP in Shillong. This is unacceptable, especially when such things happen on the campus of one of the premier institutions in the state.”
“Let us first get the facts, and then the government will take the necessary steps to set things right,” he added.