NEHU Crisis Enters Day 9: NESO Urges Union Minister for Swift Intervention Amid Protests

NESO contends that the Vice-Chancellor has disregarded numerous petitions from the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and KSU NEHU Unit.

The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), the apex students body representing major student organisations from across the region, has written a letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging immediate intervention. This comes amid the students hunger strike entering the ninth day today and reports of the Meghalaya government asking Vice Chancellor Prof P S Shukla to go on leave.

Members of the students’ union of the University and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit have been on an indefinite hunger strike since November 5, demanding the ouster of Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla, Registrar Col. Omkar Singh (Retd.), and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta, among others.

NESO’s letter outlines severe issues within NEHU’s administration under the current leadership, pointing to a sharp decline in the university’s national ranking, inadequate infrastructure, and an unfulfilled recruitment process. NESO contends that the Vice-Chancellor has disregarded numerous petitions from the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and KSU NEHU Unit, leading to frustration and a deteriorating academic environment.

The letter highlights key grievances:
Infrastructure and Staffing Deficits: Students report severe shortages in hostel space, laboratories, and staff to support university functions. Although positions remain sanctioned, they have not been filled.

Unmet Recruitment Promises: The Vice-Chancellor announced recruitment drives but canceled them without explanation, causing disappointment among potential applicants.

Disruption of Academic Processes: Administrative meetings and academic schedules have been repeatedly disrupted, undermining the university’s core operations.

Controversial Appointments: Appointments, including that of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar, were made without sufficient qualifications or transparent procedures, according to the letter.

Absentee Leadership: The Vice-Chancellor’s frequent absences have caused delays in decision-making, worsening the university’s operational crisis.

The situation intensified last week when the Vice-Chancellor’s residence was vandalized, with damage to property, vehicles, and security equipment. The NEHU Students’ Union, however, denies any involvement in the incident. Vice-Chancellor Shukla claimed he narrowly escaped harm during the attack, while NEHUSU condemned the violence but reiterated their commitment to nonviolent protests.

On Sunday, Meghalaya Minister A L Hek sent a recommendation to the Union Minister of Education, regarding the demand of the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers Association for the Vice-Chancellor’s removal. The Meghalaya Tribal Teachers’ Association and other faculty members have also joined the students’ call for administrative change, alleging that the current leadership has neglected NEHU’s standards and reputation.

NEHU Students’ Union recently wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, citing concerns about the Vice-Chancellor’s unnotified absences during the crisis. The letter claims that his frequent unavailability during critical moments raises doubts about his commitment to addressing NEHU’s challenges.

Also Read: NEHU Crisis: Meghalaya Govt Recommends Removal of VC to Centre, Students’ Indefinite Hunger Strike Enters Day 8

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