The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Tura campus has constituted a fact finding committee to probe into the alleged ragging of a Naga student inside the Arabella Boys’ Hostel of the university in Chasingre.
The university in a press statement today said the committee will be headed by Prof. Lucy Zehol, Dean of the School of Human & Environmental Sciences, who has an extensive experience in handling sensitive matters and ensuring fair and unbiased investigations.
NEHU said Zehol will begin the investigation immediately and leave for NEHU Tura Campus. “The committee will work diligently to uncover all the facts surrounding the incident, identify the culprits, and establish the truth of the matter,” NEHU said.
The statement said NEHU maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of ragging or harassment. “If the incident is found to be true, the culprits will be subject to strict disciplinary measures in accordance with both the University’s regulations and the relevant laws of the country,” it said.
Extending its support to the victim, who is a first semester student of the Department of Agri Business Management, NEHU commits to providing necessary assistance, including counselling and ensuring safety and well-being of any student who are subjected to abuse such as ragging.
The university further said that such incidents go against the core values and principles, and added, “We will do everything in our power to address this situation effectively and prevent any such incidents in the future.”
NEHU also urged the university community to come forward with any information or concerns related to the incident or any other issue affecting the well-being of students and assured that the public and media are updated on the progress of the investigation and the actions taken as a result of its findings.
The Angami Students’ Union (ASU) has appealed the Nagaland government to immediately intervene on the matter and ensure that justice is served to the victim at the earliest and NEHU to take action against the perpetrators and law enforcing agencies to book the culprits.
The union in a statement said it is perturbed and anguished by the ragging incident because it has not only threatened the safety of the Naga students but also violated human rights within an educational campus.
ASU President Khriesamthalie David Mere said the union will not put the matter to rest until justice is delivered and safety is assured to the Naga students.
Garo Hills based social activist Cherian Momin said those responsible for such condemnable act must be expelled. He said concerned authorities must take swift legal actions including filing of an FIR on the matter.
He also NEHU Vice Chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla to intervene immediately and secure justice for the victim without delay by removing the Campus Director, Proctor, Warden of the hostel, and Students’ welfare In/Charge from Tura campus.
Momin also called upon NGOs in the region to unite for the justice of the victim and emphasised on the need to establish a Garo Students Union or Khasi Students Union unit in NEHU Tura campus for better coordination and representation for the student community.
He further urged the university to transfer the student victim to another central university that offers the same course.
