By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 14: Amid continuing administrative turmoil at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), various stakeholders on Wednesday urged the state government to take a more active and visible role in resolving the prolonged crisis and restoring normalcy at the institution.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma at his chamber, NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) president Lakhon Kma said the delegation apprised the Chief Minister of the grave situation at the university arising from the absence of key administrative functionaries.
Representatives of the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU), KSU NEHU Unit, NEHU Students’ Association (NEHUSA), NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association, and NEHUTA attended the meeting.
Kma said the university is functioning without a Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, or Finance Officer, resulting in a complete administrative paralysis. “This vacuum has created serious hurdles in decision-making and day-to-day functioning, and it cannot continue any longer,” he said.
While noting that the state government is aware of the situation, Kma said its intervention has not been sufficiently strong or visible, as stakeholders had expected. “NEHU is ours. The university lies entirely within Meghalaya, and whatever happens there should concern everyone, including the government,” he said.
Emphasising the state’s emotional and institutional stake, Kma said students, teachers and non-teaching staff are “our own flesh and blood,” and the university’s infrastructure belongs to the people of Meghalaya. “Vice-Chancellors may come and go, and we may retire, but the university will remain. The onus, therefore, lies on the state government to prioritise NEHU’s welfare instead of leaving stakeholders repeatedly forced to protest,” he added.
Highlighting an immediate concern, he said salaries of nearly 900 non-teaching staff, including contractual and outsourced workers, have not been paid for December due to the absence of an authorised signatory. “This is unprecedented and deeply distressing, as it directly affects the livelihoods of essential staff,” he said.
He also stressed the need for clarity on the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor Famenline K. Marak, noting that under statutory provisions, she is required to discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor in his absence. “We want a clear written response on whether she is willing to come to the Shillong headquarters and perform these duties. Silence is only worsening the crisis,” he said.
Kma said all stakeholders had jointly written to the Pro Vice-Chancellor on December 18, but received no response. “Once we receive a written reply, the next course of action can be taken strictly in accordance with statutory provisions,” he added.
Reiterating the long-standing demand for the removal of VC Prabha Shankar Shukla, Kma said stakeholders are aware that his term is due to end in July.
“While the timing is not in our hands, we strongly believe the state government must play a more proactive role in pushing for a resolution and not treat NEHU in isolation,” he said.
Kma expressed hope that the Chief Minister, having understood the gravity of the situation, would intervene to stabilise the university.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure there is a functioning administrative head at the NEHU headquarters in Shillong so that the university can function in the larger interest of students, staff and the state as a whole,” he added.
