Shillong, Dec 1: A conglomeration of traditional headmen, women groups and other civil organizations of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills under the banner of the Meghalaya Indigenous Tribes Constitutional Rights Movement (MITCRM) has requested the intervention of the President of India Droupadi Murmu for the immediate removal of the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla for alleged mismanagement and administrative failures that has led to the present crisis in the university.

Submitting a letter to president Murmu, who is also the Visitor of NEHU, the MITCRM informed that it has resolved to stand in solidarity with the agitating students and staffs of NEHU and endorsed with all their agitating points for the interest of the institution, the state and the NE region at large, in its meeting held on November 14.

“Observing the adamant and the inhumane approach of the Vice Chancellor, toward the agitating students, which are supposed to be dealt with sensitively, MITCRM declares Prof. PRABHA SHANKAR SHULKA, Vice Chancellor of NEHU a PERSONA NON GRATA and our organisation calls for a total boycott of the concerned person in the entire State of Meghalaya,” it said while adding “Prof Shukla neither understands nor makes an effort to understand the tribal ethics, the way of life, the customs and cultures of Meghalaya and the North East. Contrarily he tried to suppress and down play them all. Therefore he is devoid of the ethics that an academician should carry. In fac this behaviour often goes against the interest of the indigenous tribes and reflects the unpleasant agenda that he has at the back of his mind which is detrimental to the institution and our society if unchecked.”

“Therefore MITCRM having deliberated thoroughly on all aspects of the Vice Chancellors behaviour calls for his immediate removal. We seek your valuable intervention in this regard before things turn ugly,” the MITCRM stated in its letter.

It further added, “Nevertheless in the recent past there were some positive developments where the incumbent VC had decided to go on leave and a new acting VC is made to take charge. However the students though welcoming the move, on the 19th November, 2024, decided to only suspend their fast during the enquiry period that will be conducted by the two member committee which is constituted by the Ministry of Education which they anticipate will subsequently result in the removal of the Vice Chancellor.”

The university is witnessing ongoing protest led by the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) backed by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU-NEHU Unit) demanding the immediate removal of the present VC.

Earlier, they had temporarily suspended their indefinite hunger strike after many students were hospitalized due to deterioration of health following fasting for 16 long days.

Read: Golf Cup Ceremony: Meghalaya Guv stresses on role of sports in discipline, unity & wellness

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