Newmai News Network
Shillong | May 10
The North-Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) on Sunday urged political parties to keep politics out of the university campus while refuting claims made by the Pro Vice-Chancellor regarding delays in recruitment at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
NEHUTA president Lakhon Kma was responding to reports citing VPP Youth Wing president Marbud Dkhar on remarks allegedly made by Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof S Umdor regarding recruitment delays in the university.
“On the part of political parties, NEHUTA would like to urge not to play politics in the university,” Prof Kma said in a statement, adding that there was “ample room” outside the campus to engage in politics and elections.
NEHUTA accused Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof S Umdor of “misleading the public” and the VPP Youth Wing over the reasons behind the lapse of 154 Group B and C posts advertised on November 3, 2023.
According to the association, the last date for submission of hard copies of applications was December 12, 2023, while the advertisement lapsed on November 2, 2024.
“It was factually incorrect for the PVC to state that the recruitment process could not be completed and got lapsed due to disruption of the functioning of the university by internal unrest,” Kma stated.
He pointed out that the student hunger strike began only after the recruitment advertisement had lapsed.
“The hunger strike by the students, which was fully supported by teachers and non-teaching staff, started on November 5, 2024 and ended on November 21, 2024,” he said.
Kma alleged that the recruitment advertisement lapsed “for the third time” due to the frequent absence of the Vice-Chancellor at the time and his alleged lack of interest in university affairs. Referring to former Vice-Chancellor PS Shukla, he claimed that no steps were taken to fill the posts between December 12, 2023 and November 2, 2024.
“Prof Umdor is trying to mislead the public,” he alleged, adding that the Pro Vice-Chancellor was attempting to “shield the total failure of the VC in completing the recruitment process for the third time.”
Commenting on the VPP Youth Wing, Kma stated that a lack of information and facts had allowed the Pro Vice-Chancellor to allegedly mislead them “if the reports are true as appeared in the newspaper.” He further said he wished the organisation had verified facts before approaching university authorities.
NEHUTA also reiterated its role as a watchdog within the university system.
“NEHUTA has always maintained itself as a watchdog of the conduct of the Vice Chancellors and other officials of the University and will continue to provide checks and balances needed for the well-being of the University,” Kma said.
The association also urged the Pro Vice-Chancellor to “call a spade a spade” and stop “misleading the people of Meghalaya,” the statement added.
