On March 2, 2026, unidentified masked individuals attacked and injured Kailash Chandra Biswal, the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) registrar-in-charge.

Biswal had recently been appointed registrar-in-charge of the Shillong campus by NEHU Vice-Chancellor Prabha Shankar Shukla. Shukla had been the target of ongoing protests since November 17, 2024, over his alleged involvement in administrative irregularities that have disrupted the university’s normal operations. Local sources noted that various NEHU stakeholders, including student groups, had advised Biswal against visiting the campus to assume office due to controversies surrounding Shukla’s leadership and appointment power.

As Biswal was leaving campus, a group of five masked people pelted his vehicle with stones, striking him in the head. The attackers fled the scene when residents rushed out after hearing the commotion. Biswal was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was admitted for medical treatment.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about reports of targeted attacks of university staff. Authorities should take reasonable steps to prevent and respond to such attacks, including by investigating and holding perpetrators responsible, in accordance with international human rights standards. In addition to the harm to the victims, lethal violence of a university leader undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED)
https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/03/04/nehu-tura-registrar-in-charge-attacked-in-city-suffers-injury/
https://highlandpost.com/nehu-registrar-in-charge-attacked-by-masked-men/
https://theprint.in/india/meghalaya-nehu-registrar-sustains-head-injury-in-stone-attack-by-masked-persons/2869460/