Teachers feel unsafe at Nehu

Shillong, July 18 : Teachers residing on the North Eastern Hill University (Nehu) campus here are feeling insecure after five thefts took place in broad daylight, the last incident being 45 days ago.

The sprawling campus at Umshing, apart from being host to several academic departments, also houses residences of teachers of the university.

S.B. Prasad, president of the Nehu Teachers’ Association, said during the last one-and-a-half months, five thefts had been committed in broad daylight at the teachers’ residences on the campus. Prasad himself became a victim yesterday.

“These thefts have created a sense of insecurity among the campusdwellers. Thefts have also been reported from the departments, particularly stealing of computers,” he said in a statement.

He also said the vice-chancellor’s residence was well-protected and the registrar stayed in the city.

and, hence, did not have a first-hand idea regarding the serious lack of security on the campus.

“There has been a very casual approach from the university on theft cases,” Prasad said. He also said in some cases, the vice chancellor, pro vice-chancellor or registrar visited the house where the theft took place “and the chapter is closed”.

“It seems the university authorities think this is sufficient. It is understood that there is a university-level security committee. What is the role of this committee in the university? Has it enquired from the internal security on different theft cases and fixed any responsibility to anyone for the security lapses during different theft cases?” Prasad asked.

Saying the number of private security guards was increasing everyday, Prasad said the university was incurring huge expenditure on these guards.

“Presently, there are around 200 such guards on the campus. Yet, most residents feel that the security guards do not do their duties sincerely and efficiently. Hence, the problem persists,” he said.

He also said the so-called “security guards” were mostly seen sleeping, chatting and relaxing. “They do not bother to inquire from persons even if they are strangers. They have become like white elephants for Nehu,” Prasad said.
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