Expressing shock over the “grotesque behaviour and heinous crime” allegedly committed on assistant professor by Dr. Sarat Chandra Yenisetti, professor of Zoology department, the Nagaland University Non-Teaching Staff Association (NUNTSA) has demanded “immediate disciplinary action” against him.
In a letter to the vice-chancellor, Nagaland University, NUNTSA president Imchawabang Aonok and vice president O Johnny Yanthan demanded immediate action against Dr.Sarat for “his criminal acts, sexual harassment and abusive behaviour” that created an intolerable and hostile environment in Nagaland University.
NUNTSA also cited what it described as “deplorable history” of Dr. Sarat’s “monstrous predatory behaviour”. NUNTSA stated that on November 25, 2024, Dr. Sarat “armed with a machete” verbally assaulted an M.Sc. Zoology student, coercing him to strip in broad daylight in front of his peers.
NUNTSA stated that when a female assistant professor intervened, he physically assaulted her by “grabbing her neck and shoving her to the ground and threatening to rape.”
NUNTSA said “this vile act” was only stopped due to the timely intervention of students and the Head of the Zoology department.
Despite previous warnings, NUNTSA said Dr. Sarat escalated his violent action by “threatening to kill and chop off heads of the Head of Department, Zoology and his entire family for a mass funeral.”
NUNTSA said his behaviour was not only criminal but reflected a dangerous lack of remorse or accountability. Further, NUNTSA said that female research scholars and students of Zoology department have testified that Dr. Sarat had over the years, subjected them to continuous physical and mental harassment including verbal abuses, vile sexual remarks, inappropriate physical contacts and coercion to spend nights with him at hotels.
NUNTSA also stated that a female multi-tasking staff posted in the department of Zoology was under severe trauma due to his “relentless verbal abuses and inappropriate physical touches”, which caused her to collapse on November 25, 2024, the day the incident involving Dr. Sarat occurred in the department, requiring emergency medical attention.
The association stated that Dr. Sarat’s misconduct was not limited to students and administrative staff, but has “a documented history of verbally abusing and threatening” senior officials including the present controller of examinations.
NUNTSA said there were numerous reports regarding his misbehaviour towards other teachers including a retired professor of zoology department.
Therefore, NUNTSA said has demand that immediate disciplinary action be taken to terminate him from the service of the University.
Failure to act decisively, NUNTSA cautioned that it would be compelled to take its own course of action to safeguard the dignity and safety of all members of Nagaland University.