KOHIMA, April 22: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has intensified its opposition to the Nagaland government’s decision to regularize 147 contractual Assistant Professors and Librarians, demanding the immediate revocation of the Cabinet decision made on September 11, 2024.
As reported by The Nagaland Post, the NSF issued a seven-day ultimatum after a meeting with Higher Education and Tourism Minister Temjen Imna Along on Monday. The meeting also included senior officials from the Department of Higher Education and other stakeholders.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, NSF vice-president Mteisuiding Heraang reaffirmed the federation’s unwavering stance against the move. He stated that while NSF remains hopeful for a positive response, it will not hesitate to launch a public agitation if the government fails to meet its demands by the April 28 deadline. Heraang emphasized that the federation’s actions are rooted in its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Naga students and youth.
He also warned that protests would become inevitable if the decision is not reversed within the specified timeframe.
NSF information and publicity secretary Pithungo Shitio confirmed that the federation submitted a written ultimatum to the minister and forwarded a copy to the chief secretary. Shitio reiterated the demand to revoke the Cabinet decision, criticizing the regularization process as arbitrary and lacking transparency.
“If the government fails to respond favourably, we are ready to intensify our campaign,” Shitio asserted. He explained that the NSF, through its widespread network across the state and beyond, is fully prepared to mobilize mass protests. “We will announce the form of agitation in due course,” he added.
Accusing the government of violating its own memorandum, the NSF condemned the regularization of contractual faculty without a merit-based evaluation process. Shitio described the decision as a “hide-and-seek policy,” highlighting that it was implemented without consulting the federation, despite its repeated efforts to engage with the government.
The NSF’s concerns extend beyond Class-I gazetted positions and include roles under pay level 3 and higher. The federation has vowed to resist any unilateral decision that negatively affects students and job aspirants.
In letters submitted on April 8 and April 14, the NSF reiterated its objection to the Cabinet decision, arguing that absorbing contractual staff without transparent evaluation undermines years of hard work and academic commitment by qualified candidates awaiting fair recruitment.
The letter characterized the government’s move as unjust, non-transparent, and detrimental to the principles of merit and fairness. The NSF lamented the government’s continued failure to address its concerns, prompting the ultimatum and plans for potential escalation.
If the government fails to respond by April 28, the NSF has pledged to launch statewide protests to ensure that the voices of students and young professionals are heard.
