By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 20: Tension prevailed at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Shillong in Mawkasiang, New Shillong Township, after members of the Khasi Students’ Union, Shillong Mihngi Circle, on Monday locked the office of the principal to protest the alleged termination of local Khasi employees and a host of unresolved student issues.
Samuel Kharbani, a leader of the KSU circle, told reporters that the union was forced to take the drastic step after repeated attempts to engage with the institute’s principal, B. Kharshiing, failed to yield any response.
He said that the union had written to the principal on April 8, seeking a meeting to discuss various grievances affecting both students and staff.
“However, the principal was consistently unavailable, and the administration did not take the matter seriously, leading to growing frustration among the union members. We had no option but to take this step after our requests were ignored,” Kharbani said. He warned that any attempt to forcibly reopen the locked office without addressing the concerns raised by the union would invite stronger agitation.
The immediate trigger for the protest was the reported dismissal of a section of Khasi employees from the institute. The union expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the decision, stating that no clear explanation had been provided by the management.
KSU general secretary Raymond Kharjana, in a letter addressed to the principal, stated that such actions, taken without proper communication, have created uncertainty, distress, and insecurity among staff members. He warned that arbitrary decisions could erode trust, lower morale, and negatively impact the overall functioning of the institution.
Apart from the staff issue, the union highlighted a series of grievances related to student welfare and alleged financial irregularities. One of the key demands was the immediate refund of caution money (security deposits) to senior batches, which, the union said, had been collected at the time of admission with a clear assurance that it would be returned upon completion of the course.
The continued withholding of these funds, despite no reported damages to institute property, was termed by the union as a serious financial lapse requiring immediate rectification.
The union also alleged that the students were being charged miscellaneous fees multiple times, even after paying the prescribed amount. It termed this as an unauthorised and exploitative practice, demanding an immediate halt and a full audit to ensure that any excess amount collected is refunded to students.
Highlighting infrastructural shortcomings, the KSU demanded the installation of fast, reliable Wi-Fi across all hostel blocks, stressing that access to online journals, research databases, and digital learning platforms was essential for the students’ academic performance.
The union further called for the development of a proper football field on campus, stating that physical activity provides a break for students who follow a rigorous academic schedule.
The KSU also flagged hostel facilities, particularly the quality of food served. The union alleged that meals were repetitive, nutritionally inadequate, and failed to meet basic standards. It demanded the introduction of a structured weekly menu offering variety, along with improved hygiene and transparency in food management.
On the academic front, the union alleged that faculty members have been consistently failing to complete the syllabus before examinations, forcing students to rely heavily on self-study for complex subjects. It demanded that the departmental heads be held accountable for ensuring the timely completion of courses in accordance with prescribed academic guidelines.
The KSU maintained that its intervention is aimed at safeguarding the interests of both students and staff and ensuring accountability within the institute. It urged the management to respond promptly and engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the issues.
