Raphael Warjri

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Thursday launched an indefinite sit-in demonstration outside the Administrative Block of the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), demanding immediate implementation of various recruitment-related policies, particularly the 80:20 gender reservation ratio in nursing appointments.

According to the KSU, the protest would continue until the institute meets all the demands laid out by the organisation. He stated that the union would not vacate the premises until the NEIGRIHMS Director personally intervenes and gives a written assurance to implement the demands at the earliest.

While the Director reportedly appointed a Deputy to hold talks with the union, the KSU declined to engage, reiterating their stand that only a direct commitment from the Director would be acceptable.

The students' body is seeking implementation of a reservation ratio of 80 percent for indigenous women and 20 percent for men in nursing recruitment, enforcement of age criteria for applicants, establishment of an examination centre in Meghalaya, and a broader review of the institute's recruitment policies, which they claim are skewed against the interests of local tribal communities.

KSU informed that the union had also met with Meghalaya’s Members of Parliament, who promptly wrote to the NEIGRIHMS administration urging intervention. However, he alleged that the institute’s Director remained unresponsive and instead attempted to shift blame to the Ministry of Health. He asserted that the union possessed documentary evidence indicating that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the NEIGRIHMS Governing Council, and not the central ministry.

He further argued that with the Governing Council's approval, NEIGRIHMS is empowered to address and implement all of the union’s demands. The Director’s reluctance to act, he said, had left the organisation with no choice but to stage a prolonged demonstration.

Despite the job application deadline passing on April 28, KSU claimed the Director had taken no action to resolve the grievances. He warned that continuing the recruitment process without addressing the issues would create a disproportionate workforce, with male nurses significantly outnumbering females. This imbalance, he said, could seriously impact the functioning of the institute once senior female nurses retire.

The protest is being held under tight security as the standoff between the student body and NEIGRIHMS administration continues.