Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR :  The All Arunachal Pradesh Youth Organisation (AAPYO) on Tuesday urged the state government and Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to intervene in the alleged forced resignation of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) Director Prof. Narendranath S.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, AAPYO president Kipa Kanam alleged that NERIST, one of the premier educational institutions in the region, is facing a crisis due to what he described as “dirty politics” within the institute, adversely affecting its reputation and academic environment.

Kanam informed that the organisation has submitted representations to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju seeking immediate intervention into the matter.

The organisation demanded the termination of suspended NERIST officials Mai Kuru Camder and Doge Kamduk, alleging their involvement in irregularities related to the Recruitment Rules (RRs) 2022 governing non-teaching staff appointments. It also questioned the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the institute’s Director.

Referring to the promotion of Camder, Kanam alleged that his elevation from Joint Registrar to Registrar within 48 days was irregular and claimed that no sanctioned vacancy existed for the post at the time. He further alleged that Kamduk’s promotion from Section Officer to Assistant Registrar was carried out in violation of established procedures.

Kanam also alleged that shortly after suspension orders were issued against the two officials, certain individuals compelled the Director to resign. Describing the development as detrimental to the institution’s administrative integrity, he claimed that external interference had adversely affected the functioning of the institute.

Demanding a thorough investigation, AAPYO called for the arrest of all individuals allegedly involved in or facilitating the Director’s resignation, including the suspended officials and others concerned.

The organisation further alleged irregularities in the implementation of various projects and schemes within NERIST. Kanam claimed there were anomalies in project reports, misuse of development funds and disruptions in the procurement of laboratory and scientific equipment. As a result, students were allegedly forced to rely on outdated laboratory infrastructure despite the availability of funds for academic and infrastructural development.

AAPYO urged the Union Minister to take decisive action against the suspended officials rather than keeping them under suspension. It also appealed to community leaders, student bodies and the public to refrain from politicising educational institutions.

“Institutions like NERIST are sacred places of learning. Students are the backbone of the nation, and such institutions must be protected from vested interests and political interference,” Kanam said.