NEHU Students, VC Head For Showdown

Shillong, Oct 18 : North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Vice-Chancellor A.N. Rai Monday said he will not bow down to the pressure of the agitating students, who are demanding his removal.

"Stepping down is not an option. I am here as the vice chancellor on the appointment of the President of India and I am honouring it. If the students are against me, they should approach concerned authorities," Rai told IANS. "I am ready to sort any grievances relating to the university," he added.

However, the North Eastern Hill University Students Union (NEHUSU) and Meghalaya Tribal Students Coordination Committee (MTSCC) vowed to intensify their stir.

The unions accuse Rai of favouring non-locals in the hiring of lecturers in Mizoram University during his tenure as vice-chancellor.

The students had earlier rejected NEHUs rector and Meghalaya Governor R.S Mooshaharys invitation for talks.

"We will not accept Rai as our vice chancellor for his tainted credentials in Mizoram University and we announce our non-cooperation movement against him beginning tomorrow," Kynpham Kharlyngdoh, chairman of the Coordination Committee, told IANS Monday.

The Mizoram University had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the MSU Sep 15, 2009, which specified that six qualified local candidates would be called for interview for recruitment to various posts. However, Rai appointed non-local as lecturers, thus violating the MoU.

The unions also accuse Rai of misinterpreting University Grant Commissions eligibility criteria for the appointment of lecturers.

Earlier, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal had asked Mooshahary to send a central team to Meghalaya to sort out the stand-off between the students and NEHU. The Governor had also apprised President Pratibha Patil about the issue.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma demanded a central team visit the state to sort out the imbroglio.

Earlier, two powerful organisations in Meghalaya - Khasi Students Union (KSU) and Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) - demanded that a tribal candidate be appointed as the vice chancellor.

Rai was appointed as the vice chancellor of NEHU after Pramod Tandon completed his tenure Sep 12 this year.