The North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) has expressed its shock and disappointment at the arrest of the university’s senior-most professor, Nirmalendu Saha, in an anti-corruption sting in Guwahati recently.
On June 11 the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two individuals – Saha and Pranjal Sharma, the proprietor of a Guwahati-based firm – during what is suspected to be a transaction of a bribe of Rs 3.43 lakh at the Gauhati University Guest House.
Saha is a professor of Zoology and Dean of the School of Life Sciences at NEHU. He and others are accused of allegedly facilitating the award of supply orders for scientific equipment and laboratory items and the clearance of bills in exchange for bribes.
NEHUTA president Lakhon Kma said he was aware that Saha had taken two days’ leave to attend exam duties at Gauhati University. “If the reports are true, this is a serious matter and reflects poorly on NEHUTA, given that he is a member of the association,” Kma stated, adding that the arrest not only tarnishes the image of NEHUTA but also affects the reputation of the university and its students.
He further stated that the arrest comes at a time when NEHU is already under public scrutiny due to the ongoing crisis that has remained unresolved for several months.
“We urge the CBI in Guwahati to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the full truth. Media reports have claimed that he was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe,” Kma said.
He also expressed dismay over Prof Saha’s alleged involvement, especially with only about six months left before his retirement on December 31, 2025. “It is difficult to comprehend why he would choose this path at the end of such a long career,” Kma added.
The NEHUTA president made it clear that the association maintains a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. “We cannot and will not defend anyone involved in corrupt practices,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, NEHUTA has submitted a memorandum to NEHU Shillong’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, highlighting several pending issues related to teachers and the overall functioning of the varsity.
The memorandum, which includes 18 points, urges the administration to take immediate action on matters such as appointment of a regular Dean for the School of Social Sciences, conducting Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) for all stages, recruitment of non-teaching staff and faculty members, withholding salaries of employees on unauthorised leave, reconstitution of Building and Transport Committees, repair and maintenance of faculty quarters and infrastructure and retendering of construction works at Tura Campus.
NEHUTA has requested the administration to address these issues within specific timelines, ranging from immediate action to completion within three months.
Kma said that the newly-elected NEHUTA executive committee met the Shillong campus Pro VC on June 11 to discuss the university affairs in the current scenario.
