Shillong: A formal request for legal intervention has been lodged against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma by the Meghalaya-based pressure group, Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO), following his accusations leveled against the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM).
The catalyst for this demand stems from a letter submitted to the Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP), in which HITO voiced their strong disapproval of the Assam chief minister’s public pronouncements concerning USTM’s operational integrity.
Specifically, HITO cited claims made by the Assam CM, alleging that USTM was engaged in the illicit distribution of counterfeit academic credentials, including PhD degrees, purportedly sold without adherence to standard examination protocols.
The Meghalaya government, in a series of official press releases issued on February 20th and 27th, categorically denied the accusations made by the Assam chief minister, as detailed in HITO’s letter. The group highlighted that both the Chief Secretary and the Meghalaya Chief Minister had publicly affirmed USTM’s adherence to regulatory standards and its possession of all necessary approvals, confirming the authenticity of its issued degrees and certificates.
Reflecting the official stance of the Meghalaya government, HITO expressed its deep concern regarding the reputational damage inflicted upon USTM by the Assam CM’s unsubstantiated allegations, noting the university’s significant contributions to the educational landscape, including its role in establishing Meghalaya’s inaugural State Medical College.
Further emphasizing the potential repercussions, HITO raised concerns about the adverse impact of these allegations on the current and future student body of USTM, stressing the importance of maintaining an environment of trust and credibility for students pursuing their academic and professional goals.
In their concluding statement, the organization called for swift and decisive action from the concerned authorities to address the situation and restore public confidence in the university’s standing.
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