Tura, June 17: Employees of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) Tura Campus on Tuesday began a peaceful “Pen Down–Tool Down” protest outside the Administrative Building, demanding action on a range of pending service-related issues, including implementation of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) orders, review of promotions and demotions, release of gratuity benefits, Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) registration, and timely payment of salaries to casual workers.
The protest follows a memorandum submitted by the employees’ association to the NEHU Vice-Chancellor on June 10, 2026. According to the association, repeated representations to university authorities had not resulted in any resolution of the issues raised by staff members.
Protesters gathered with placards and banners outlining their demands. Among the concerns highlighted were the implementation of DoPT directives, review of what employees described as disputed promotion and demotion decisions, immediate release of gratuity benefits, EPF registration for eligible staff, and regular payment of wages to casual employees.
One placard carried the message, “Stop Discrimination, Campus Authorities Wake Up,” reflecting concerns among employees regarding what they view as unequal treatment and administrative inaction.
The association stated that several communications had previously been sent to university authorities, including the Vice-Chancellor and the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Tura Campus. Employees said the lack of a substantive response prompted them to launch the protest.
According to the association, the demonstration is intended to draw attention to employee welfare issues and pending service matters. Staff members said the protest would continue peacefully until steps are taken to address their concerns.
Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Tura Campus, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, heads of departments and sections, the Vice-President of the Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU) at Tura Campus, and leaders of the Garo Students’ Union (GSU).
The employees expressed hope that the university administration would engage with the association and work toward resolving the outstanding issues.
