Shillong: Tensions at Meghalaya’s North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) reached a boiling point on Monday night, culminating in the withdrawal of security forces stationed on campus. The departure of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel followed a firm ultimatum issued by the university’s student body.
The decision to vacate the campus came after days of increasing pressure from NEHU student unions and university administrators. Concerns were raised regarding the unapproved presence of security personnel within the university grounds, leading to questions about the necessity and justification for such a deployment.
Toniho S Kharsati, the general secretary of the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU), had earlier articulated the students’ stance unequivocally. He stated that students were prepared to boycott classes and even leave the campus entirely if the security forces continued their presence. Kharsati also questioned the government’s priorities, asking whether the well-being of the student community was being overlooked in favor of protecting a faculty member against whom allegations had yet to be proven.
The gravity of the situation prompted Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Sherwin May Sungoh to formally address the matter. He communicated directly with the Director General of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, highlighting the “significant fear psychosis” that the security presence had instilled among the students and the wider university community.
The deployment of security forces was a direct consequence of the recent arrest of NEHUSU president Sandy Sohtun. Sohtun’s arrest was linked to the alleged assault of Dr Alok Singh, a Hindi professor at NEHU. Dr Singh was reportedly attacked in his office on April 24 and subsequently required hospitalisation for medical attention.
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