[ Bini Yurom ]

ITANAGAR, 18 Jul: The All Arunachal Pradesh Youth Organisation (AAPYO) on Saturday opposed the demand for the removal of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) Director Prof Narendranath S, urging the governor and the Union Ministry of Education to immediately intervene in the ongoing administrative issues at the premier institute.

The organisation said that the director had merely implemented the recommendations of a ministry-appointed inquiry committee, and warned that his removal could adversely affect the institute and the academic future of nearly 3,000 students.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club, AAPYO president Kipa Kanam said the NERIST is not merely an institute of Arunachal Pradesh but a premier institute serving all eight Northeastern states. He said the issues confronting the institute are of regional importance and should therefore be resolved strictly in accordance with the rules and decisions of the Union Ministry of Education.

Kanam informed that the AAPYO has submitted a three-point representation to the governor of Arunachal, seeking immediate intervention. He said similar representations have also been submitted to the chief minister, the union education minister, the union minister of ports, shipping and waterways, the union minister of parliamentary affairs, the MPs from Arunachal, as well as MPs from other Northeastern states, requesting them to safeguard the future of the NERIST.

Kanam said the organisation intervened in the matter about a month ago after reports of prolonged unrest involving students at the NERIST. He said that the AAPYO examined the available documents and interacted with stakeholders before submitting its representation.

According to Kanam, the organisation found evidence of maladministration, malpractice and non-compliance with the NERIST Society byelaws. He alleged that these irregularities had continued for several years because of violations of the institute’s approved recruitment rules governing the non-teaching staff.

Referring to the one-man inquiry committee headed by Prof Kumar Patra, director of NIT, Kanam said the committee was constituted by the Ministry of Education through an order dated 9 December, 2025, to examine the academic and administrative issues at the NERIST, following the student agitation that began on 28 November, 2021.

Kanam alleged that the committee found serious irregularities in the appointment of two non-teaching officials – MK Camdir and Doge Kamduk – who, according to the AAPYO, secured promotions by bypassing and tampering with the institute’s recruitment rules and projected themselves as joint registrar and deputy registrar, respectively.

He claimed that, acting on the recommendations of the Patra Committee, NERIST Director Prof Narendranath suspended both officials through an order dated 29 May, 2026.

Kanam further alleged that, soon after the suspension orders were issued, supporters of the suspended officials, including Mai Aram Camdir, who he described as the general secretary of the “All NERIST Students’ Union,” along with representatives of external student organisations, visited the director’s office and demanded that the suspension orders be revoked. He alleged that the director was threatened with serious consequences if he refused to withdraw the disciplinary action, forcing him to submit his resignation to the Ministry of Education.

However, Kanam said, the ministry did not accept the resignation and instead directed Prof Narendranath to continue as the director of the NERIST.

Criticising the demand of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) for the director’s removal, Kanam described it as “illogical” and contrary to the findings of the ministry-appointed inquiry committee. He said that the director merely implemented the committee’s recommendations and should not be penalised for carrying out disciplinary action.

While expressing respect for the AAPSU, the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) and other student organisations, Kanam appealed to them not to interfere in the administrative affairs of the NERIST or support officials accused of violating recruitment rules. He argued that student organisations should focus on protecting the welfare and academic interests of students, instead of influencing decisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and the NERIST board of management.

Kanam alleged that supporting officials accused of manipulating recruitment rules would only encourage similar practices in public institutions. He claimed that the recognised student organisations within the NERIST, representing all eight Northeastern states, are satisfied with the functioning of the present director, and questioned why outside organisations are demanding the director’s removal.

Highlighting the director’s achievements, Kanam said that Prof Narendranath successfully implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at the NERIST, established the department of food engineering and technology, introduced BSc programmes in physics, chemistry and mathematics, and facilitated monthly fellowships of Rs 8,000 for BSc and NEP PhD scholars.

He further credited the director with recruiting 43 faculty members across various departments, introducing research grants of Rs 5 lakh for newly recruited faculty members to strengthen the institute’s research ecosystem, and improving students’ academic performance, including the qualification of several undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026.

Kanam said these initiatives won the confidence of the students, who are now worried that removing the director before appointing a regular successor would disrupt the institute’s academic progress. He pointed out that appointing a regular director is a lengthy process, and argued that there is no justification for seeking immediate removal of the incumbent before due process is completed.

Describing the NERIST as one of the premier higher educational institutions in the Northeast, Kanam expressed concern that prolonged instability and external interference could damage the institute’s reputation and future. He also expressed apprehension that continued disruption could jeopardise the institute’s long-term position in the region.

Kanam also claimed that the AAPYO possesses video evidence relating to the alleged pressure exerted on the director after the suspension orders were issued, and said the organisation would make it public if necessary.

Concluding the press conference, Kanam reiterated that the AAPYO is not acting out of political considerations but solely to safeguard the interests of students and protect the NERIST. He said the institute caters to nearly 3,000 students from Arunachal, the Northeast and other parts of the country, and warned that unnecessary interference in its administration could adversely affect their future.

Reiterating the organisation’s stand, Kanam said that the AAPYO fully supports the implementation of the recommendations of the ministry-appointed Patra Committee and disciplinary action against officials found to have violated recruitment rules. However, he said that the present director should not be removed until a new director is appointed through the prescribed procedure.

He appealed to all stakeholders to allow due process to take its course and work collectively for the stability, integrity and continued development of the NERIST.