Shillong, July 29: The Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) on Wednesday urged the Governor of Meghalaya to intervene in a series of issues concerning the state, including the appointment of the Acting Vice-Chancellor of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), drug trafficking, implementation of reservation policies in Central establishments, alleged illegal settlements at Lum Survey and recruitment of Nursing Officers at NEIGRIHMS.
In separate representations submitted to the Governor, the HYC said the issues have serious implications for the rule of law, security, employment opportunities, public health and the constitutional rights of the indigenous tribal population of Meghalaya.
On NEHU, the HYC sought the Governor’s intervention as Chief Rector of the university over the decision to entrust the charge of Vice-Chancellor to Prof. Saroj Kanta Barik of the Department of Botany, whom the organisation described as the second senior-most Professor of the university.
HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem referred to a July 22, 2026 communication from the Ministry of Education conveying the approval of the President of India, in her capacity as Visitor of NEHU, to entrust Barik with the charge following the expiry of the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor.
The organisation alleged that the decision appeared inconsistent with Statute 2(A), Clause (2) of the NEHU Statutes, which, according to the HYC, provides for the senior-most Professor to take charge when the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor expires and a successor has not been appointed.
The HYC sought clarification on whether the senior-most Professor was unavailable, had declined the responsibility or was subject to any statutory or legal disqualification. It also questioned whether any provision under the NEHU Act or Statutes empowered the authorities to bypass the senior-most Professor.
The organisation urged the Governor to take up the matter with the President of India and the Ministry of Education and seek a review of the July 22 order, while ensuring strict adherence to the NEHU Act and Statutes in future administrative decisions.
Apart from the NEHU issue, the HYC urged the Governor to take up four other matters with the concerned Union Ministries. On drug abuse and trafficking, the organisation described the growing circulation and consumption of narcotic substances as a serious threat to Meghalaya’s youth. It called for the establishment of a permanent Zonal Office of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Meghalaya.
The HYC also sought stronger intelligence-sharing and joint operations among the NCB, BSF, Meghalaya Police, Customs and other enforcement agencies, increased manpower, deployment of modern surveillance technology along vulnerable routes and greater Central assistance to tackle organised drug trafficking networks in the North Eastern Region.
On employment, the HYC expressed concern over the alleged non-implementation of reservation policies in several Central Government offices, public sector undertakings and institutions operating in Meghalaya.
It claimed that indigenous tribal youth were losing employment opportunities despite Government of India provisions relating to reservation in direct recruitment, particularly for Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts.
The organisation urged the Governor to raise the matter with the Department of Personnel and Training and seek directions to Central establishments in Meghalaya to strictly implement reservation policies and regularly monitor compliance.
The HYC also raised concerns over alleged illegal settlements at Lum Survey near Iewduh, opposite the Fire and Emergency Services Station. It said the land falls under the control and ownership of the Defence Estate Office, Guwahati, and alleged that unauthorised occupation of the area had raised concerns relating to sanitation, public health, illegal immigration and criminal activities, including alleged narcotics trafficking.
It urged the Governor to take up the issue with the Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs for verification of occupants, removal of unauthorised encroachments and restoration of lawful possession and public order.
On recruitment at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), the HYC sought consideration of an appropriate female-to-male ratio while appointing Nursing Officers.
The organisation said adequate deployment of female Nursing Officers was particularly important in departments such as Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, NICU, PICU and other specialised wards.
It urged the Governor to take up the matter with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare so that NEIGRIHMS could be allowed to adopt a suitable female-to-male ratio in future recruitment exercises.
The HYC maintained that the issues raised were matters of significant public importance and called for the Governor’s intervention to safeguard the interests of Meghalaya’s people, uphold statutory provisions and strengthen public confidence in institutions.
