NSF, ANCSU Issue 7-Day Ultimatum to Nagaland Govt Over Adhoc Asst Professor Regularisation; Warn of Protests

The Minister gave a positive response and assured us that he will discuss the matter in the cabinet.

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), and the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) have given a seven-day ultimatum to Nagaland government to roll back the Cabinet decision regularising the appointment of 147 adhoc assistant professors in Nagaland.

Speaking to media persons after their meeting with Nagaland’s Minister of Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, NSF President Medovi Rhi said, “We have given an ultimatum to the state government for seven days. It will expire on the 28th. If the government does not roll back or revoke the cabinet decision that was taken on September 11, 2024, the Federation will be compelled to take to the streets. The Minister gave a positive response and assured us that he will discuss the matter in the cabinet. We are hopeful that today the government will release a statement revoking the decision. Otherwise, the Federation, our students, and the community will be forced to protest.”

Following the meeting, the state government called for an emergency cabinet meeting to deliberate on the issue raised by the student bodies. As of now there is no official statement from the side of Nagaland government.

The Naga Students’ Federation had earlier strongly condemned the Nagaland Cabinet’s decision on Thursday to regularise 147 contractual assistant professors’ posts in the Department of Higher Education. The Federation called the move “very blunt” and criticised the government for taking such a step despite widespread opposition from various organisations.

NSF stated that it had previously written to the state government through the Chief Secretary, hoping for a positive and responsible response. However, the Federation expressed deep disappointment, saying the government has shown reluctance to listen to the voices of the student community and the public.

The CTAN and NNOF have written to the Chief Secretary demanding the immediate revocation of the government order dated December 17, 2024, contending that it is a violation of Article 16 of the Indian Constitution (equal opportunities to all citizens), Rule No. 9 (4) of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC), and an Office Memorandum dated June 6, 2016, by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms titled, ‘Ban on Appointment on Contract Basis.’

The department, in its response, stated that these appointments were made on a fixed-pay basis under exigency, against non-sanctioned posts, and therefore cannot be requisitioned to the NPSC. Challenging the rationale, CTAN and NNQF questioned how the appointees were regularised or absorbed if the posts were indeed non-sanctioned.

Also Read: Naga Peace: Common Platform For Rebel Groups, Joint Negotiation Suggestion Doing Rounds

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