SHILLONG – Four major bodies of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have jointly demanded the resignation of Pro Vice Chancellor S Umdor. The demand, issued in a joint communication Monday night, cites “administrative paralysis” and a failure to restore normal university functioning.
The NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU), NEHU Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA), NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA), and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) NEHU unit released the statement. They assert Pro Vice Chancellor Umdor has not acted in line with assurances from Union ministry representatives. These assurances aimed to restore stability, transparency, and normalcy at the Shillong campus. The bodies state Umdor’s continued inability to act prolongs uncertainty and erodes confidence among students, teachers, and staff.
Leadership Vacuum Deepens
The university faces a critical leadership vacuum. Vice Chancellor Professor P S Shukla has been absent from the Shillong campus for over one year. His absence followed protests regarding alleged mismanagement and irregularities. The Centre deputed officers to inquire into these allegations, but no concrete action has been taken.
The joint statement highlights NEHU’s “complete administrative paralysis.” The university currently operates without a regular Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Finance Officer, or Controller of Examinations. This situation severely affects both academic and administrative operations.
Key Officials Resign
Concerns also surround the recent resignations of the Registrar (in-charge) and the Finance Officer (in-charge). The four bodies allege these resignations occurred due to undue pressure from Vice Chancellor Shukla, who remains absent. These departures have further aggravated the administrative crisis within the institution.
NEHU’s crisis also impacts significant projects. A proposed Rs 300-crore hostel project is currently stalled amid the ongoing standoff with Vice Chancellor Shukla.
Call for Pro VC’s Resignation
Shillong MP Ricky Syngkon recently addressed the prolonged leadership crisis at NEHU in Parliament, seeking the Centre’s intervention. The four university bodies emphasize that the responsibility to uphold assurances and ensure effective functioning rests with the Pro Vice Chancellor’s office. They argue Umdor’s continuation in the post, given the circumstances, does not serve the university’s best interests.
Pro Vice Chancellor Umdor was appointed in June this year . The joint appeal urges him to tender his resignation. This action would allow for an alternative arrangement, consistent with institutional norms. The bodies stress this appeal aims to restore trust, administrative stability, and democratic functioning at NEHU.