Shillong (Meghalaya), Dec 1: The Meghalaya Indigenous Tribes Constitutional Rights Movement (MITCRM) has submitted a resolution to the President of India, calling for the immediate removal of the Vice Chancellor of the North Eastern Hills University (NEHU).
The MITCRM has demanded:
1. Immediate removal of the Vice Chancellor of NEHU.
2. Intervention by the President to restore normalcy to the university.
3. Enquiry into the allegations against the Vice Chancellor.
4. Appointment of a new Vice Chancellor to lead the university.
The demands come as the union ministry of education has granted an additional 15 days to the two-member probe panel to submit its report on the allegations against the Vice Chancellor. The committee, constituted on Nov 14, was initially supposed to submit its report within 15 days, on Nov 29.
The extension of the committee’s tenure has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the return of Vice Chancellor Prof. PS Shukla to office on Dec 2. Shukla had sought security from the Centre before the extension was granted, indicating his intention to assume office on Dec 2.
Prof. Shukla has been the Vice Chancellor of NEHU since July 27, 2021, and has a strong background in agricultural sciences. The ongoing probe and uncertainty surrounding his return to office have created a buzz in the academic community.
The situation at NEHU has been tense, with students and faculty members protesting against the Vice Chancellor’s administration. The protests began as students demanded Shukla’s resignation and accountability for what they label chaotic mismanagement at NEHU.
