Guwahati: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has come forward to defend the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), calling it a UGC-accredited institution with a strong track record in education.
His statement comes amid the arrest of USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque, which has sparked widespread debate in political and academic circles.
“USTM has all the legitimate documentation and necessary approvals,” Sangma told reporters.
“It has been providing quality education for many years, with top-notch infrastructure and a dedicated faculty. The institution plays a vital role in shaping the future of our youth, and we are proud to have USTM in our state,” he added.
Despite Sangma’s support, Hoque’s arrest has triggered a storm of allegations.
Police detained him on February 22 in connection with claims that he and five teachers from a school in Assam’s Sribhumi district allowed students to use unfair means during Class 12 CBSE board exams.
Hoque was brought to Guwahati for questioning at Dispur police station before being escorted to his residence under tight security.
Haque, who heads the ERD Foundation overseeing multiple educational institutions, refused to comment on the case, stating, “I will talk later. Thank you so much.”
Purported videos circulating online showed police officers being searched by Haque’s personal security staff upon entering his residence.
While these videos have yet to be independently verified, they have fuelled further speculation.
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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a hard stance, labelling Hoque a “big fraud” and asserting, “He will be in jail for a long time.”
Sarma had previously accused Hoque of obtaining a fraudulent OBC certificate in the 1990s and blamed USTM for contributing to Guwahati’s flooding issues due to its hilltop campus design.
The controversy extends beyond the arrest, with the Gauhati High Court deferring its decision on Hoque’s bail plea to March 3.
Meanwhile, the other arrested teachers face allegations of facilitating unfair exam practices by allowing students from other districts to appear under false assurances.
