Guwahati, Aug. 1 -- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scathing attack on the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), alleging that the institution was built by encroaching on reserve forest land.

Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma said, "The issue was brought before the Central Empowerment Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court. The report confirms that USTM is located inside a reserve forest, and all its construction was carried out within that protected area. I can't guarantee USTM will exist two years from now."

He added, "It's not an educational institute-it's a hub for the commercialization of education. If it were in Assam, I'd have already shut it down. Since it's in Meghalaya, I can only pray...