The demand for justice and revocation of the Government’s order to regularize 147 Assistant Professors entered the fourth day on April 24 with  protestors donning black and holding a memorial service for meritocracy.

Day four of the agitation witnessed over hundreds of protestors chanting slogans against the Cabinet’s decision to form a committee instead of revoking the order.  As an act of resentment, the protestors displayed a memorial service for Meritocracy by bringing a coffin at the protest site.

During the solidarity speech, N Bangyoh Naam, President, Konyak Students’ Union Kohima stated that he is not representing the Union or people but standing in solidarity as a concerned individual. “The Minister has made a huge mistake playing with sentiments of students. Konyak students never demanded for contractual teachers at Wangkhao college in Mon district . We just shared our concerns for wellbeing of our students,” clarified Naam demanding an ardent apology and resignation of the Minister on moral grounds.

Three members each from CTAN & NNQF also held a brief meeting with the Chief Secretary today. Meshenlo Kath, CTAN Convenor addressed the protesters briefing about the meeting’s outcome where he mentioned the Chief Secretary’s response that the ongoing protests have compelled the government to place the regularization process “in abeyance.”

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According to Kath, the Chief Secretary remarked that the very individuals were previously appointed on a contract basis, implying their positions were never permanent to begin with. Responding to the Chief Secretary, Kath asserted that if the posts are contractual, they should remain temporary and be sent to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) for open recruitment. “Those who are absorbed can continue teaching, but at the same time, the positions should be opened up for fair competition, allowing current appointees to sit for exams,” stated Kath.

“We simply cannot trust this committee. These are just delay tactics and I fear the delay will only deepen the crisis,” he added.

CTAN and NNQF indicated that the protest will continue unless clear and concrete assurances are given.

“Although the concerned minister has extended an invitation for dialogue, if the outcome of the meeting is not satisfactory, we may have no choice but to revoke the agreement,” stated Kath.

Meeting with the Minister of Higher Education is currently underway, the outcome of which will be updated.