NEHUSU, KSU seeks intervention of cabinet ministers for removal of VC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 1, 2025

The North-Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU Unit have sought the intervention of Meghalaya cabinet ministers for the immediate removal of the incumbent NEHU vice chancellor Prof PS Shukla.

The memorandum in this regard was submitted to cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and AL Hek on Tuesday.  

“(We) jointly submit this memorandum, seeking your urgent intervention in addressing the governance and administrative challenges at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU). We earnestly request your esteemed support in resolving the persistent issues affecting the student community, faculty, and non-teaching staff, which have remained unaddressed for an extended period,”the two student bodies said.

The memorandum said that the stakeholders of NEHU have repeatedly protested and agitated against Prof Prabha Shankar Shukla for his failure to effectively discharge his duties and his alleged mismanagement of university affairs. In response to these grievances, NEHUSU and KSU NEHU Unit staged a hunger strike on November 5, 2024. The strike was put on hold following assurances from the Ministry that necessary action would be taken. Subsequently, in its order dated November 14, 2024, the Ministry constituted an Inquiry Committee to investigate the allegations. During the committee’s visit to NEHU, the organizations submitted all relevant documents and evidence supporting our claims.

Furthermore, as per the Chairman of the Inquiry Committee’s letter dated November 28, 2024, the Competent Authority granted a 15-day extension to finalize the findings and submit the report. However, despite the committee’s visit, no official response or action has been taken, leaving the university community in a continued state of uncertainty and discontent.

“Given the severity of the situation and the detrimental impact of this prolonged mismanagement on the university’s academic and administrative integrity, we place our trust in your leadership to take decisive steps toward resolving these pressing issues,” the student bodies said adding “We strongly urge you to advocate for the immediate removal of Prof. Shukla as the Vice-Chancellor of NEHU, along with other incompetent officials, to ensure better governance, transparency, and a brighter future for the university. Your timely intervention and steadfast support will be instrumental in restoring academic credibility and institutional well-being at NEHU. We sincerely hope that you will take this matter forward and stand with the students in their pursuit of justice and reform.”