Such acts of physical violence and intimidation strike at the very foundation of academic freedom, intellectual discourse and safety of faculty
TURA, April 30: Two organisations from Garo Hills namely, Niksamo Garo Community Organisation (NGCO) and A’chik Organization for Social Welfare (AOSW) have condemned the alleged assault on Dr Alok Singh, Assistant Professor in the Hindi department at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, by the NEHUSU leaders last week.
In a statement, the NGCO expressed its anger and outrage over the attack on the university faculty saying such acts of violence and intimidation are unacceptable and undermine the sanctity of educational institutions.
“This incident reflects a disturbing trend of campus politicisation and lawlessness in Shillong’s NEHU,” stated Tengrak N Marak, president of NGCO. “We urge the state government and university authorities to take stringent action against the perpetrators and ensure the safety of educators and students” he said.
Stating that such incident should never recur, the NGCO called for swift justice in Dr Singh’s case and enhanced security measures across NEHU campuses.
Meanwhile, the AOSW has also expressed deep concern and outrage over the attack, terming it a “reprehensible act of violence”.
“The AOSW unequivocally condemns this barbaric attack on an educator within the hallowed premises of a university. Such acts of physical violence and intimidation are not only criminal but also strike at the very foundation of academic freedom, intellectual discourse, and the safety and security of faculty members. The allegations detailed in Dr Singh’s police complaint, including being forcibly confined within his office before the assault, paint a disturbing picture of lawlessness and a complete disregard for the principles that should govern a higher education institution. The injuries sustained by Dr Singh, coupled with the deep trauma and sense of insecurity he now understandably feels on campus, are unacceptable consequences of such brazen violence”, the statement issued by the organisation said.
While seeking thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and at the same time expressing its solidarity to the injured professor, the organisation also called for protection of NEHU as an institution of learning and not allow such acts of violence to create a climate of fear and insecurity.
