Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) wants the appointment of S.K. Barik as the Vice-Chancellor in charge of North-Eastern Hill University overturned. A delegation led by president Roy Kupar Synrem met Governor C.H. Vijayashankar at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday. The council claims the Ministry of Education bypassed the rules. They want the Governor to act as the university's Chief Rector.
The central dispute involves Statute 2(A), Clause (2) of the NEHU Statutes. This rule requires the outgoing Vice-Chancellor to hand power to the senior-most professor if no regular replacement is ready. The previous leader finished their term on July 26. Instead of choosing R. Khongsdier, the senior-most professor, the Ministry of Education tapped Barik, who holds the second rank. The ministry acted on a July 22 communication approved by the President of India.
The HYC memorandum notes the ministry order failed to explain why the most senior candidate was ignored. The order mentions no disqualification, lack of availability, or refusal to serve by Khongsdier. "The statute is very clear. In the event of a vacancy or absence of the V-C, the senior-most professor is required to take charge. However, the Ministry of Education has appointed the second senior-most professor as the V-C in charge," Synrem said. The group insists administrative choices cannot ignore binding law.
The HYC demands a full review of the July 22 order. They want the university to restore proper procedure to protect its autonomy. Failure to follow the rules creates a dangerous precedent. The Governor promised to look into the matter with the relevant authorities.
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