NEHU VC Prof. Shukla extends leave by 15 days

Shillong, Dec 2: The incumbent vice chancellor of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla has extended his leave till December 13, following protests and pending of the inquiry into the alleged mismanagement and administrative failures within the university.

Agitating students and other stakeholders have gathered in the campus to ensure Prof Shukla is not allowed to enter the university after expecting him to resume office on Monday.

The students’ union (NEHUSU) had announced its decision to close the gates of the university as they reiterated the demand for Prof Shukla’s ouster.

Speaking to reporters, vice chancellor in-charge of NEHU Prof Nirmalemdu Saha said that the VC has extended his leave from November 30 to December 13.

“Probably, he has been asked to extend his leave by the ministry of education because I have no knowledge. The ministry must have instructed him to extend his leave during this inquiry period. Therefore, till December 13, he is not coming to the university,” he said.

According to him, the two-member committee appointed by the ministry to probe into the NEHU issue, is yet to submit its report on the matter.

“Once the report is submitted, the ministry will take a decision (in this regard),” the VC in-charge said.

Nearly one month, classes are yet to resume following the ongoing protest led by NEHUSU and backed by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU – NEHU Unit). Earlier, the two student bodies have temporary suspended their indefinite hunger strike after students were hospitalized due to deterioration of their health following 16 days long of fasting.

Asked, Saha informed that he would immediately convene a meeting of the academic council (AC) to decide on the need to start the classes.

“That I am discussing with the students, let see what they say. I will try to convince them to start the classes because their career only will be hampered. At least if we can have some classes, it will be easier. Probably I will be having an emergency Academic Council (AC) and we will decide about that when to reopen after winter break and probably we may have to continue for classes for two or three weeks or so followed by the exams,” he stated.

All stakeholders of NEHU including students, teachers and non-teaching staff have sent a clear message to the probing panel that irrespective of the outcome from the inquiry, Prof Shukla’s returning to the university is not acceptable to them.

Talking to Hub News, VC Prof. PS Shukla has also confirmed that he has extended his leave pending submission of the probe panel’s report to the Ministry of Education.

His leave is till December 13. However, due to December 14 and 15 being holidays (Saturday and Sunday), he is likely to join on December 16.

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