The administrative crisis at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has intensified, with four key campus organisations jointly calling for the resignation of the Pro Vice Chancellor of the Shillong campus. The bodies have alleged that the university has remained virtually non-functional due to prolonged administrative inaction and unfulfilled commitments.
In a joint representation issued late on Monday, the NEHU Students’ Union, NEHU Teachers’ Association, NEHU Non-Teaching Staff Association, and the NEHU unit of the Khasi Students’ Union expressed serious concern over what they described as a breakdown of governance within the university. They stated that despite earlier assurances given by officials of the Union Ministry of Education, no meaningful steps have been taken to bring the institution back on track.
According to the organisations, those assurances were aimed at restoring transparency, ensuring smooth administration, and addressing long-pending issues affecting students and staff. However, the failure to act on these promises has led to growing frustration across the campus. 
The groups also pointed to the recent exit of the Registrar (in-charge) and Finance Officer (in-charge), claiming that both officials resigned after facing pressure from Vice Chancellor Professor P. S. Shukla. They noted that the Vice Chancellor has not been present on the Shillong campus for over a year following protests linked to alleged administrative irregularities.
The absence of senior officials, the statement said, has left NEHU without proper leadership, affecting routine academic processes and essential administrative decisions. The bodies added that although a Central inquiry was initiated earlier, the lack of follow-up action has only added to the uncertainty.
“At this stage, the university is functioning without key authorities, which has badly affected its academic and administrative systems,” the organisations said, describing the situation as harmful to the institution’s future.
The matter has also been raised at the national level, with Shillong Member of Parliament Ricky Syngkon recently drawing Parliament’s attention to the unresolved leadership crisis and urging intervention by the Centre.
Stressing that the Pro Vice Chancellor’s office is responsible for ensuring the implementation of agreed decisions, the four organisations said continuing in the post under the present circumstances was not appropriate. They appealed to Pro Vice Chancellor S. Umdor, who assumed office in June this year, to step aside to enable a new administrative arrangement in keeping with university norms.
The organisations said their demand was aimed at restoring order, confidence, and proper functioning at NEHU.
