Shillong, Mar 26: The North Eastern Hill University Teachers’ Association (NEHUTA) has rejected the appointments of Prof. Sherwin M Sungoh and Prof. Fameline K Marak as Pro Vice-Chancellors of Shillong and Tura Campus, respectively. This decision was made during a general body meeting held today, citing the illegitimate actions of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla.

NEHUTA condemned the appointments, stating that Prof. Shukla’s actions were in violation of the university’s statutes and government rules. The association highlighted that Prof. Shukla has been on earned leave since November 15, 2024, and has not physically joined the university headquarters in Shillong, amounting to a continuous absence of 131 days.

The association also expressed concern over the current situation in NEHU, where there has been no Vice-Chancellor in the station to oversee university affairs since March 6, 2025. NEHUTA, along with NEHUNSA and NEHUSU, approached senior professors to take charge, but four declined, making Prof. Sungoh the next senior-most professor in line.

NEHUTA resolved that the Pro Vice-Chancellor appointments were unacceptable due to the lack of quorum in the Executive Council meeting where the decision was made. The association also stated that Prof. Shukla’s actions were ultra vires, as he quoted Statute 3 in the appointment letters but did not follow it.

In light of this, NEHUTA unanimously decided to request Prof. Sungoh to take charge as Acting Vice-Chancellor, invoking NEHU Statute 2 (A) (5) (i).

Prof. Sungoh, a distinguished academician, has extensive experience in higher education, with research and teaching expertise in pedagogy, curriculum development, and educational policy.