GUWAHATI: A standoff at North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Meghalaya’s Shillong led to the withdrawal of Meghalaya Police and CRPF personnel from the university campus, following strong protests and a call for an indefinite class boycott by the NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU).
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The development took place late Monday night, April 28, as the unrest began after an FIR was filed by Alok Singh, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hindi, who alleged that he was assaulted inside his office.
Acting on the complaint, police arrested NEHUSU president Sandy Sohtun. Five other students were also named in the FIR, prompting a large deployment of security personnel inside the campus.
Over 150 police and CRPF personnel were stationed at NEHU, sparking outrage among students. NEHUSU responded by locking the university gates from 6 PM to 9 PM, preventing entry and exit of vehicles and leading to long traffic snarls on approach roads. Hundreds of students assembled at Gate No. 2, engaging in heated exchanges with the police and magistrates, demanding immediate withdrawal of the forces.
Declaring the police presence “intimidating,” NEHUSU general secretary Toniho Kharsati announced an indefinite suspension of classes starting Tuesday, April 29. “We will not attend classes until the forces leave the campus,” he told students gathered outside the gate.
The emotionally charged atmosphere prompted Acting Vice-Chancellor SM Sungoh to write to the Meghalaya Director General of Police, expressing concern over students experiencing fear and claiming the security deployment was made without her prior knowledge.
Following her intervention, the security personnel were eventually withdrawn around 10.30 PM. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the development, stating, “Yes, we have withdrawn as per the request of the Acting VC.”
While the forces are now stationed at the Mawkynroh police outpost, the situation on campus remains sensitive.