Students of the North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) has written to newly joined Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Shillong campus, Sherwin May Sungoh, requesting her resign from the post as her appointment was not carried out in accordance with the prescribed procedures outlined in the NEHU Statutes
In a joint letter to Sungoh, the North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), NEHU Unit said her appointment was also declared null and void by the then Vice-Chancellor in-charge in November 2024.
“The process followed in your appointment, which was orchestrated under the authority of Prof. Shukla, stands as procedurally illegitimate and was not ratified by a quorum of the Executive Council, rendering it ultra vires,” the unions said.
According to the unions, PS Shukla has been on extended leave since November 3, 2024 and has not rejoined work in person at NEHU till date.
“The letter of appointment itself references Statute 3 of NEHU, which mandates procedures that were not observed in either letter or spirit. It is important to note that the Executive Council did not hold a valid meeting to discuss or approve the appointment of Pro Vice-Chancellors,” the unions stated.
Moreover, Prof. Omkar Singh, who is also on leave, issued directives without proper authorization or procedural compliance, they added.
“We are deeply concerned that you have aligned yourself with Prof. Shukla, whose actions have been widely opposed by all stakeholders, including Members of Parliament from Meghalaya—Dr. Ricky A. J. Syngkon (Shillong) and Mr. Saleng A. Sangma (Tura)—who have raised this issue in the ongoing parliamentary session,” the unions said in the letter.
Stating that the guidelines of the Ministry of Education explicitly prohibit the appointment of individuals to statutory positions within three months of their retirement, the unions said, “As your retirement is scheduled for 31st May 2025, your appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor contravenes this directive,” adding that the same rule was recently enforced in January 2025 in a comparable case by the Acting Vice Chancellor.
“In light of these facts and in the best interest of institutional integrity, we respectfully request you to voluntarily resign from the post of Pro Vice-Chancellor of NEHU, Shillong, and Tura Campuses. Should this request go unheeded, we will be compelled to consider appropriate courses of action,” the unions asserted.
