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The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong witnessed large-scale protests on Wednesday as students voiced demands for the immediate removal of the university’s Registrar and Deputy Registrar.

Normal university operations were disrupted as the North Eastern Hill University Students’ Union (NEHUSU), along with the Khasi Students Union and the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers' Association (MeTTA), rallied in support of the demand.

The protest gained momentum after NEHUSU leaders met Vice Chancellor Professor P.S. Shukla on Tuesday, urging him to dismiss Registrar Col Omkar Singh (Retd) and Deputy Registrar Amit Gupta on grounds of “incompetence,” following the university’s drop in National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings from 80 to 101.

Following the Vice Chancellor's refusal to address these concerns, students camped outside his office overnight, intensifying their demands.

NEHUSU general secretary Toniho S Kharsati stated, “Since his (Shukla) taking over charge in 2021, nothing positive has taken place at the University. University rankings are going down and incompetent people are being appointed as Registrar and Deputy Registrar among others.”

Kharsati further argued that the Vice Chancellor should be replaced if he failed to take action against his appointees whom the students view as “unfit” for their roles.

In addition to student grievances, faculty groups, such as the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers’ Association, expressed disappointment over the administration's handling of institutional rankings and called for renewed leadership.

MeTTA-NEHU president DRL Nonglait highlighted, “The VC has a lot to do to improve the overall ranking of the university and address the grievances of one and all.”

Adding to the calls for reform, the NEHU Non-teaching Staff Association (NEHUNSA) also protested, decrying delays in recruitment for multiple posts advertised over the past year.

While the recruitment was meant to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the NTA communicated in July that it was unable to manage the recruitment process, leaving vacant posts unfilled and stirring frustration among university staff.

Efforts to reach Vice Chancellor Shukla for comment on the ongoing protests went unanswered.