HYC Demands Removal of ‘Tainted’ Tag on Teachers After High Court Clears All Accused in 2008–09 Meghalaya Recruitment Scam

Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Wednesday pressed the Meghalaya government to immediately clarify and scrap the “tainted” label still attached to hundreds of teachers and candidates implicated in the controversial 2008–09 Lower Primary recruitment irregularities, following the High Court of Meghalaya’s clean chit to all accused.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, and Chief Secretary D.P. Wahlang, the HYC demanded a comprehensive review of every case branded “tainted” during the probe into the alleged “White Ink Scam.”

HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem highlighted that the High Court’s September 2025 verdict quashed all criminal proceedings and discharged former Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and senior officials, citing a complete lack of evidence of answer-sheet tampering, absence of any “white ink” usage, and consistency in official signatures.

“The court has categorically established that no scam took place. Yet hundreds of deserving candidates continue to carry an unjust stigma for over 15 years, losing jobs, dignity and livelihood,” Synrem said.

He urged the government to direct the Education Department to set up a time-bound “Review and Reinstatement Committee” under the Directorate of School Education and Literacy to re-examine all tainted cases, remove the tag, and facilitate reinstatement or suitable compensation.

While some “untainted” candidates were reinstated in earlier phases (including 187 in 2021), those marked tainted remain in limbo with cancelled appointments and no relief, the HYC pointed out.

Describing the matter as one of urgent public importance, the youth body warned that the government’s continued silence is eroding public trust and pushing affected families into deeper despair.

“We expect swift and decisive action to correct this long-standing injustice,” Synrem added, emphasising that justice delayed for over a decade can no longer be justified after the judiciary has spoken.

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