Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and former Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma has called on both the Union and state governments to act decisively to resolve the ongoing crisis at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), warning that continued delays threaten the institution’s reputation and legacy.
Dr. Sangma stressed that the uncertainty surrounding NEHU has far-reaching implications not just for its students but also for the image of the university, which was once a source of immense regional pride.
“It is the job of the state, the state government as well as the Union government to sit together and find out all those irritants which probably is the reason for whatever is happening. It is not something which is really, really pleasant to discuss even. Because from what I hear from all sides, therefore, delay in resolving [NEHU issue] has lots of negative ramification—uncertainty for the students and the overall reputation, and it has its own result and ramification on the branding and name and fame of this, I must say, a university of which we used to take pride—North Eastern Hill University,” he said.
Dr. Sangma emphasized that the prestige of NEHU must not be allowed to deteriorate further.
“Is it not a university which we should be proud of? Therefore, is it not necessary for the government—both the state and Union government—to resolve this issue? It is their responsibility, they must do it. How they do it? How it should be done? I don’t want to elaborate because it is somehow not very, very pleasant,” he added.
Calling for urgent intervention, Dr. Sangma urged all responsible authorities to safeguard the institution’s integrity: “The problem must be resolved once and for all and the name and fame of the university is not allowed to be defaced.”
