Detained by police amid protests by students
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | November 25
As Nagaland observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, on November 25, allegation of assault by a male professor against his junior female colleague rocked the Nagaland University (NU). The alleged incident, which happened in the Lumani campus, had the male professor landing up at the police lockup, before reportedly getting a good beating from riled students.
Independent sources told The Morung Express that an FIR was lodged at the local police station, and the incident reported to the university administration. The Zunheboto police confirmed detaining an NU professor, on Monday, but information was scant.
Two students’ forums issued public statements condemning the incident. One was from the Nagaland University Research Scholars’ Forum (NURSF), Lumami, accusing the professor of physically assaulting a female assistant professor, while subjecting his students to verbal abuse, using “vile, derogatory, and demeaning language.”
“This behavior is a gross violation of institutional norms and a blatant affront to human dignity and professional ethics,” it said. The forum further alleged a pattern of intimidation, abuse, and misconduct, creating a hostile environment within the department and demanded the immediate termination of the professor, describing his continued presence as a “grave threat” to the university community.
In a separate note, the Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) expressed outrage describing the incident as “a betrayal of trust and a violation of the university’s code of conduct.” It demanded the professor’s dismissal within four days, cautioning of legal action if the administration failed to act.
Staff Accounts
A staff member from the University, speaking anonymously, shared additional details. According to him, the accused professor has a history of misconduct. “He has admitted to being ‘mentally unstable’ and unable to control his emotions at times, which he uses as an excuse for his behavior. Today, he allegedly called some Master’s (degree) students to his office, where he verbally abused them. He even asked a male student to remove his clothes. When a female assistant professor intervened, he reportedly declared that women should not speak, physically assaulted her by grabbing her throat, and threw her to the floor in front of the students. This prompted an outcry, and the professor fled the scene, locking himself in a room,” the staff said.
Monday’s incident was not the first, reportedly. Previous cases primarily involved students and that went unreported, the staff member claimed.
When contacted, the female assistant professor, who was allegedly physically abused, informed of the university administration taking stock of the situation. “I have shared my concerns with the appropriate authorities, and all further communication will be handled by the Registrar and Vice-Chancellor,” she said. Efforts to reach the Registrar for comment were unsuccessful.
