SHILLONG : The Hynniewtrep Youths Council (HYC) said yesterday that any incident within the campus of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has consequences that extend beyond the university’s own staff and affects the wider community.
Speaking to reporters, HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem said the organisation’s stance on the appointment of NEHU’s Vice Chancellor is a legitimate concern, not an overreach, since the matter directly affects students studying at the university.
His remarks came in response to criticism from Prof. Lakhon Kma, President of NEHUTA, who had accused the HYC of playing politics over its position on the VC appointment issue.
Roy pushed back on the idea that only statutory bodies responsible for university oversight have the standing to comment on such matters. He argued that all stakeholders have a role to play, pointing out that because several colleges are affiliated with NEHU, any administrative misstep at the university level would create wider disruption across those institutions as well.
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On claims that the HYC had been mobilising or encouraging students, Roy said there was never a need to publicly announce or publicise the organisation’s involvement, but confirmed that HYC members were present alongside students during that period. He added that the council has consistently stood with students whenever needed, from the past through to the present.
Addressing Prof. Kma’s specific claim that Prof. Barik’s appointment as VC on July 22 amounted to a fresh appointment, Roy disputed that characterisation. He said the appointment letter issued by the Under Secretary of the Government of India to the NEHU Registrar stated only that the Visitor of NEHU had approved a proposal to hand over charge of the VC post with no mention of it being a fresh appointment.
Roy also clarified that, contrary to some accounts, no one had approached Prof. Khongsdier to take over as Acting VC following Prof. Shukla’s retirement.