DIMAPUR, April 24: The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) Nagaland has launched a scathing criticism of the Nagaland state government over its handling of the ongoing protests surrounding the regularization of 147 Assistant Professors under the Department of Higher Education.
In a strongly worded statement, NSUI Nagaland expressed deep disappointment and frustration, stating it is “extremely dismayed with the lethargic attitude of the government regarding the ongoing protest.” The student body particularly condemned the decision made by the state Cabinet on April 21, 2025, to place the regularization of the 147 Assistant Professors in abeyance. It described this move as “a blatant disregard for the legitimate demands of thousands of students.”
The NSUI highlighted that students have been forced to take to the streets, sacrificing valuable academic time in protest for what they believe is their rightful cause. “These students have been selflessly sacrificing their valuable time protesting for their rights, when they should have been preparing for their exams,” the organisation said.
Calling the Cabinet’s decision regressive, the NSUI has “unequivocally” demanded its immediate reversal. It urged the Cabinet to rescind the decision, dissolve the committee that was constituted in this regard, and issue a notification explicitly revoking the original order — No. HTE/HE/13-3/2020(pt-1) dated December 17, 2024.
Taking a bold political stand, NSUI Nagaland further called on Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to “immediately sack the Minister in charge, Mr. Temjen Imna Along.” The organisation insisted that the Higher Education portfolio be handed over to “someone who is more sensible, responsible and educated and who is genuinely serious and sufficiently qualified to handle the department.”
The NSUI’s demands come amid growing unrest in the student community over what they perceive as the government’s failure to address critical issues affecting higher education in the state. The regularization of the Assistant Professors has emerged as a flashpoint, with student bodies uniting to challenge what they see as bureaucratic delay and policy apathy.
