Anti-ragging measures on the Tura campus of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) must be strengthened, social activist Cherian Momin has opined.
An incident this month saw a student from Nagaland ragged on his first day on campus, leading him to return to his hometown.
In a letter to NEHU Vice-Chancellor Prof PS Shukla, Momin said that the Tura campus has not received the “vital” anti-ragging initiatives notification from August this year.
It may be mentioned that the NEHU Dean Student’s Welfare had in August 24 this year written to all head of the departments at NEHU, Shillong to implement the anti-ragging initiatives.
“This lapse in communication has significantly impacted the awareness and preparedness of the Campus Director Tura and Heads of Departments (HODs) regarding a regrettable incident that occurred on October 8, 2023,” Momin said. “This undisciplined and heinous incident has not only brought great shame to the student community but also raises serious concerns about the overall safety and well-being of our students at NEHU Tura campus.”
While the university has implemented an Anti-Ragging Committee and Anti-Ragging Squad, it is equally important, the activist added, to strengthen measures at the departmental level.
In this regard, Momin suggested that departments be encouraged to actively monitor freshers’ programmes, introduce a ‘Teacher Mentor’ system, and constitute a ‘Departmental Anti-Ragging Cell,’ ensuring the involvement of faculty, research scholars and senior students.
Additionally, Momin said that NEHU Tura has apparently been “overlooked” by the Joint Action Committee comprising teachers, other staff and students regarding their disagreement with Shukla over various matters.
“The inclusion of NEHU Tura in JAC proceedings is crucial and I believe this oversight needs to be addressed promptly,” he added.
