By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 1: The state government is exploring options to acquire space for the establishment of the Shillong campus of the Captain Williamson Sangma State University after the proposed Bijni complex was caught up in a legal battle over an ownership dispute.
Talking to reporters, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma confirmed that the Bijni complex, which was initially identified for the Shillong campus of the university, is mired in a legal battle.
“The Education Department was supposed to use the Bijni complex for the State University’s Shillong campus. However, as the process went on, the ownership claim led to a dispute,” Sangma said.
He said NEHU has approached the High Court of Meghalaya, claiming ownership over the complex.
“NEHU went to the High Court to defend themselves as the rightful owner of the business complex since its inception. The matter is now in the court and we will await its decision,” Sangma added.
Given the legal uncertainty, the government has started scouting for an alternative, temporary as well as permanent, for the Shillong campus.
“We are also in touch with the Urban Affairs Department for land for the State University on the Mawdiangdiang side. For temporary arrangements, we are looking for some buildings or campus space so that we can start the Shillong campus at the earliest,” Sangma said.
He emphasised the urgency of the matter, noting that efforts are on to at least set up the administrative office for the Shillong campus while long-term infrastructure plans are being finalised.
“We are keeping our options open and trying to find a solution. We will appoint a Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Shillong campus and have other key officials stationed there to begin operations as soon as possible,” he said.
The minister revealed that a comprehensive review meeting has been scheduled for Friday at the university’s Tura campus to assess the institution’s current infrastructure and operational gaps.
“We have fixed a review meeting at the Captain Williamson Sangma University campus to look into the functioning and structural deficiencies – whether it is water, road connectivity, internet, or staff quarters. All the officials concerned from the Education Department, some MLAs, the Vice-Chancellor, and the faculty members have been invited,” he said.
Sangma reiterated that the government is keen on starting full-fledged academic activities across departments from the next academic session beginning in August 2025.
“We want to start all the departments, or at least the Department of Humanities, from the 2025 academic session. We are working towards this end,” he said.