The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has supported the demands of the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit for the immediate termination of all “incompetent staff members” including the University’s Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, Registrar Col. Omkar Singh (Retd.), Deputy Registrar (Academics) Amit Gupta.

Urging the Union Minister of Education for immediate intervention on the crisis at NEHU, the Representation highlighted that the students have been on indefinite hunger strike in front of the VC’s office since 5th November 2024 due to the failure of the VC “in addressing the issues plaguing the University”. It mentioned that classes are being disrupted due to the non-cooperation of the students, teachers and non-teaching staffs and that the health of the fasting students is also deteriorating day by day raising concern in the state regarding their well-being in the near future.

The Organisation’s Chairman, Samuel B. Jyrwa, and Secretary General, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, asserted NESO’s support to the NEHUSU and the KSU NEHU Unit and stated that “all the demands are legitimate and are of serious concern that seeks immediate rectification so as to once again raised the status of NEHU into prominence as was in the past.”

The NEHUSU and the KSU NEHU Unit are seeking the termination of the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Deputy Registrar, and all incompetent teaching and non-teaching staff currently employed at the NEHU citing that the management of the University under the current leadership has reached “an untenable state, with significant and alarming consequences for the academic standards, infrastructure, and reputation of the institution”. The students have noted that since the appointment of the VC, the University’s ranking has plummeted.

The student bodies have also maintained that despite submitting memorandums and Charters of Demands, the VC has consistently failed to address the pressing issues affecting the university with his “dismissive attitude and failure to take proactive steps to resolve these concerns” which have created an atmosphere of dissatisfaction and distrust among the students. Further, the NEHUSU and the KSU NEHU Unit have highlighted the “most glaring issues” under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. P.S. Shukla that includes:

1. “Acute Shortage of Infrastructure and Manpower: The University continues to suffer from severe shortages, including inadequate hostel facilities, poorly managed laboratories, and a lack of staff to maintain the smooth functioning of academic and administrative departments. Despite having sanctioned posts that remain vacant, the Vice-Chancellor has failed to take appropriate measures to fill these positions in a timely manner.
2. Unfulfilled Recruitment Drives: The Vice-Chancellor has frequently announced recruitment drives precisely twice since he joined the University to fill vacant posts, only to have them cancelled without proper justification, creating a sense of false hope and disappointment among applicants. Such inconsistency undermines the integrity of the recruitment process and further damages the university’s credibility.
3. Disruption of Academic Processes: The Vice-Chancellor has failed to ensure the smooth functioning of the university’s academic and administrative activities, including the Academic Council meetings, which have been repeatedly disrupted and cancelled under his leadership. This has further deteriorated confidence in his ability to lead the university effectively.
4. Incompetence of the Registrar and Deputy Registrar: The appointment of Col. Omkar Singh as Registrar is highly questionable. His background is in the military, and he lacks any relevant academic experience, which is essential for someone in charge of managing the academic affairs of a university. His tenure as the Controller of Examination (Incharge) was marked by inefficiency, with significant delays in conducting exams and declaring results, highlighting his inability to perform basic administrative duties.
   Additionally, the appointment of Mr. Amit Gupta as Deputy Registrar (Academics) raises serious concerns regarding the fairness and transparency of the university’s recruitment process. Mr. Gupta was deemed ineligible during the 2022 recruitment drive owing to him not having adequate experience for the same post, yet he was later appointed as the Deputy Registrar in 2024, despite the clear contradiction in his previous eligibility status. Such irregularities in the recruitment process call into question the credibility and integrity of the administration.
5. Unethical Appointments: We are deeply concerned by the Vice-Chancellor’s recent decisions to appoint individuals who have already reached the age of superannuation, including the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for the Director of College Development Council (CDC) and the Guest House Incharge. These actions not only raise ethical concerns but also reflect a lack of long-term planning and foresight in building a competent and sustainable workforce for the future of the university. In 2023, the Vice- Chancellor appointed Mr. Rohit Prasad as his advisor, a position created at his sole discretion without any advertisement or transparent selection process. This decision was met with strong opposition from the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which included both students and faculty members, and led to Mr. Rohit Prasad’s eventual removal from the position. Furthermore, the Vice-Chancellor has made the questionable decision to create and appoint an individual to the post of Campus Director for the Tura campus, a role that was established without any formal process or institutional justification. This is in direct contradiction to established norms, as the university has historically been led by a Pro-Vice Chancellor for each of its campuses, a position that remains unfilled due to the Vice- Chancellor’s inaction.
6.  Absentee Leadership: Another serious concern is the Vice-Chancellor’s frequent and extended absences from the university. His absence has resulted in significant disruptions to the day-to-day functioning of the university, particularly in the decision-making processes. Crucial administrative decisions have often been delayed or kept on hold due to his unavailability, and there is a clear lack of continuity in leadership. This issue is exacerbated by the absence of a Pro-Vice Chancellor for both the Shillong and Tura campuses. Prior to the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure, both campuses had Pro-Vice Chancellors, who played an essential role in maintaining the smooth operation of each campus. However, despite repeated requests and efforts from the university community, the Vice- Chancellor has failed to take the necessary steps to appoint Pro-Vice Chancellors since he joined the university as a VC, further exacerbating the leadership vacuum within the institution.

Instead of focusing on the essential development and improvement of the university, the Vice- Chancellor has engaged in activities that undermine the integrity of the institution. The continued failure to address these issues has led to a loss of confidence in his leadership, and it is imperative that urgent action is taken to restore the university’s reputation and ensure its future growth.”