Tension prevailed at the Institute of Hotel Management Shillong in Mawkasiang, New Shillong Township, after members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Shillong Mihngi Circle, on Monday placed the office of the principal under lock and key in protest against the alleged termination of local Khasi employees and a host of unresolved student issues.
A leader of the KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle, Samuel Kharbani told reporters that the union was forced to resort to the drastic step after repeated attempts to engage with the institute’s principal, Dr B Kharshiing, failed to yield any response.
According to Kharbani, the union had formally written to the principal on April 8 seeking a meeting to discuss various grievances affecting both students and staff.
However, he alleged that the principal was consistently unavailable, and the administration did not take the matter seriously, leading to growing frustration among the union members.
“We had no option but to take this step after our requests were ignored,” he said.
He also issued a stern warning that any attempt to forcibly reopen the locked office without addressing the concerns raised by the union would invite stronger agitation.