Meghalaya groups seek centre’s intervention over selection of NEHU VC

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Confederation of Academic Welfare (MeCAW) has sought the centre's intervention into the affairs concerning the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).

Expressing disappointment over the style of functioning of NEHU vice-chancellor Prof SK Srivastava, the association has appealed to the centre to find a concrete solution and to appoint an indigenous VC in his stead at the earliest.

According to a press release issued on Jan 3, the MeCAW chairman Roykupar Synem termed the current VC's style of functioning as ‘vicious attempts’ to undermine local professors of calibre.

He alleged that the academic and administrative norms of the University have been violated by Prof Srivastava and the Pro-VCs of Shillong and Tura campuses, Prof. Henry Lamin and Prof. G.Singhaiah.

“Prof SK Srivastava along with his two accomplices is making moves to scuttle attempts of recovering the University by appointing qualified and excellent calibre local professor from Meghalaya in line with the state’s matrilineal ethos and culture so that future generations of students do not have to suffer misdeeds of an ill-motivated VC," read the release.

“It is even more regrettable that Prof SK Srivastava along with his local accomplice is indulging into raking up irrelevant issues to paint local professors of Meghalaya with commendable standing in a bad light as they stand for interests of people of Meghalaya and the region," the release further stated.

Meanwhile, the president of the Meghalaya Peoples' Labour Union (MPLU), Erwin K. Syiem Sutnga recently sent a letter to union education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank requesting the ministry to choose a right person as the next Vice-Chancellor of NEHU.

"It is the sentiment of the stakeholders that the history, culture and ethos of the region which means Meghalaya and North East India should be one of the key consideration in the selection of a new Vice-Chancellor," Sutnga, who is also an advocate, said.

(Edited by Gabriel G Momin)