Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Wednesday, 24 June held detailed discussions with State Home Minister Mama Natung at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar, reviewing the overall law and order situation in the state with particular focus on the recent crisis at the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST). The Governor called for an impartial inquiry into allegations of rowdyism, threats, coercion, and intimidation faced by the institute's Director.

What Triggered the Meeting

NERIST, located at Nirjuli near Itanagar, has been at the centre of institutional turbulence in recent weeks, following controversies over administrative and recruitment matters. The situation escalated to the point where Director Prof. Narendranath S resigned earlier this month amid an ongoing dispute over recruitment-related issues and disciplinary actions against certain officials. The episode triggered protests and raised widespread concerns about institutional governance and autonomy.

Governor's Key Demands

Expressing deep concern over the developments, Lt Gen Parnaik emphasised that educational institutions must remain safe, secure, and conducive to learning. He called out what he described as a 'wrong example for the youth' and stressed that any act undermining the functioning, credibility, or harmony of educational institutions must be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the law.

The Governor underscored the principles of merit, integrity, dignity, discipline, transparency, and accountability as non-negotiable standards for institutional management. He further highlighted NERIST's standing as one of the premier technical and higher educational institutions in the Northeastern region, making the recent developments particularly concerning.

State Government's Response

Home Minister Natung — who also holds the portfolios of Indigenous Affairs, Inter-State Border Affairs, and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) — assured the Governor that the state government is treating the matter with utmost seriousness. He confirmed that a thorough investigation would be conducted and that appropriate action would be taken against those found responsible once the inquiry is completed.

Natung reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting educational institutions, and ensuring a safe environment for students, teachers, and staff across Arunachal Pradesh.

Broader Implications for Northeast Education

The NERIST crisis is not an isolated episode — it reflects a pattern of governance stress at centrally funded technical institutions in the Northeast, where administrative disputes have periodically disrupted academic calendars. Calls from various quarters for the restoration of a peaceful academic atmosphere and uninterrupted continuation of academic activities at the institute have grown louder in the wake of the Director's resignation.

With the Governor now personally engaged and the Home Minister on record with an assurance of investigation, the next steps — including the appointment of an inquiry panel and the interim administrative arrangement at NERIST — will be closely watched by students, faculty, and the wider academic community in the region.