Shillong, Jan 14:A joint delegation representing various stakeholders of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) today met Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to seek his intervention to address what they described as a prolonged administrative breakdown at the central university.
The delegation included members of the NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA), NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA), NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and the Khasi Students’ Union. They urged the CM to take up the matter with the Centre to restore regular functioning at the varsity.
This meeting follows in the wake of two others where delegations met with the Governor and state Education Minister.
The conflict centres on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof PS Shukla, who has been absent from the university for over 400 days. He had raised the ire of staff and students alike by various actions pertaining to finances and decision-making and passionate protests at the end of 2024 led to him fleeing Shillong. Although he has tried to remote-control the university from afar, his opponents among the university’s students and staff have forced similar departures or resignations of his allies and appointees in the form of Shillong Pro VC, Registrar, Finance Officer, etc.
All of this has resulted in a rudderless university. The agitating students and staff perhaps thought that this would force the central government to take decisive steps and give Shukla the boot but the Union Ministry of Education has appeared to be in no hurry to resolve the impasse, especially if it involves removing the man it had appointed as VC.
Now, with the breakdown in administration continuing, the university is facing problems in even routine matters
Speaking after the meeting with the CM, NEHUTA president Prof Lakhon Kma told reporters that there is no one in a position of authority to take important decisions and make financial approvals.
He described the meeting as part of a series of representations by stakeholders, who appealed for immediate steps to ensure that NEHU’s Shillong campus becomes operational within the coming days. Kma said Sangma appeared to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and expressed confidence that efforts would be made to stabilise the institution.
The delegation also highlighted delays in salary payments for nearly 900 outsourced and non-teaching workers, stating that December wages remain unpaid due to the absence of authorised signatories.
Reiterating their demand for the removal of the Vice-Chancellor, Kma said the stakeholders expect the Centre to act, even though Shukla only has five month’s left in his tenure. Kma also called for the process to appoint a new VC to begin without delay.
Emphasising the wider implications of the issue, Prof Kma said NEHU’s functioning has a direct bearing on Meghalaya’s academic ecosystem and should not be viewed as an internal university matter alone.
