Security provided by state Govt insufficient: VC to Centre
Shillong, Nov 28: Despite strong protests NEHU vice-chancellor Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla is all set to return to the university as he Central security support while terming the security arranged by state government “insufficient”.
“My leave concludes on 29 November 2024, and I will resume my duties at NEHU on 2 December 2024,” Prof Shukla wrote in a letter to principal secretary in-charge Higher Education, Govt of India.
Alleging illegal activities taking place in the university during his leave, he said “It has come to my attention that certain miscreants from various associations of the university, through the in-charge vice chancellor, are unlawfully managing campus operations, daily life, and issuing unauthorized orders and circulars.”
Although agitating student have suspended their indefinite hunger strike after the Centre launching an inquiry into the various allegations against the VC, they have not yet allowed the classes to take place.
Referring to the “prevailing conditions” on the NEHU campus, the VC urged the Centre to arrange adequate security support, while terming the security provided by state government as “insufficient”.
“This deployment will not only ensure my safety but will also contribute to the overall security of the NEHU campus and its employees,” the VC stated in his letter.
He asserted that he had submitted a point-by-point response addressing all four queries raised by the Ministry of Education on 23 November 2024.
Giving a brief report on the incident, Prof Shukla said, “The NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU), supported by the NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) headed by Prof Lakhon Kma have created disruptions on campus since 25 October 2024.”
He alleged that the NEHUTA created a hooligan just before the start of the 113th meeting of the Academic Council on 25 October 2024, thereby not allowing the meeting of the Academic Council.
“After that, they forcefully entered the office of Registrar and Deputy Registrar, thrashed them out and locked their respective offices.
“They also entered forcefully into the office of the VC, threatening me with the demand for immediate termination of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar,” he said.
“None of the group has given me any representation/complaint in writing to explain the reason for the removal of both officers,” he asserted.
“Nevertheless, I tried to explain the official procedures to them and assured them that I would initiate appropriate action to resolve the matter and deflate the situation.
As per their demand, I have also nominated a Pro-VC, one for each NEHU campus, and sought the approval of EC as per the provisions in the NEHU Act 1973,” Prof Shukla stated.
“Despite my best efforts to meet and discuss and come to a solution, NEHUSU and NEHUTA escalated the agitation, put up the ‘dharna’ in the form of a hunger strike in front of the VC office, and blocked all the entrance gates of the university,” he said.
Stating that the agitators did not give any written notice about the hunger strike, the VC said, “I informed the local administration about the events, including the DC and SP, along with the DGP and Chief Secretary of the State, and sought their help in ensuring the safety of the NEHU campus.”
“Despite that, the two associations assaulted me and threatened me by attacking my official residence. Due to the situation described above and the unrest caused by both associations, the functioning of NEHU has come to a complete standstill. University employees are stopped from performing their duties, and they feel unsafe on campus,” he added.
According to him, the atmosphere of fear and disruption is severely affecting the institution’s operations.
Meanwhile, NEHUSU, NEHUTA, NEHUNSA and KSU have been demanding for immediate removal Prof Shukla as NEHU VC. They have stated before the two-member committee appointed by the Ministry of Education that Prof Shukla’s return would be unacceptable to them.
