The Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) with Nagaland Net Qualified Forum(NNQF) along with hundreds of aspirants on April 16 held a peaceful protest under the slogan “Right to Equal Opportunity” outside the Directorate of Higher Education, demanding the revocation of regularization of 147 Assistant Professors and Librarians in Nagaland.
The decision taken by Nagaland government to regularise 147 contractual assistant professors and librarians had sparked anger and disappointment among many aspirants prompting backlash from academic forums and aspirant groups.
Demanding the revocation of the order (No.HTE/HE/13- 3/2020 (Pt-1)104 Dated 17th Dec 2024), the CTAN and NNQF submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland, Kohima for immediate revocation of the order where it mentioned that it is a violation of the Indian Constitution Article 16, NPSC rule 9(4) and OM (No. AR-5/ASSO/98 dated 6th June 2016) of the P&AR Department on ‘The Ban of Contract Appointment’.
Demanding justice for the eligible aspirants of Nagaland, the CTAN and NNQF warned that if the concerned authorities fail to comply, they will continue with the agitation till necessary action is taken.
The memorandum also appealed for immediate requisition of all Assistant Professor/Librarian post filled on contract after June 6, 2016.
In response, the Department of Higher Education replied through two pointers:
“1. The Assistant Professors/Librarian appointed after 06.06.2016 were engaged on exigency fixed pay basis against non-sanctioned posts
2. The Assistant Professors/Librarian vacancies available have already been requisitioned to the NPSC. As of now, there are no posts to be requisitioned to NPSC.”
Rejecting the response provided by the Departmnet, the CTAN & NNQF again issued another repudiation:
1. If Assistant Professors/Librarian appointed after 06/06/16 were engaged on exigency fixed pay against non-sanctioned posts. How are they regularized/absorbed?
2. Failing to revoke No. THE/HE/13-3/2020(Pt-1)104 Date 17th Dec 2024, and failing to send requisition of those posts appointed after 06/06/16 to NPSC, CTAN and Member of NNQF will lockdown the office starting April 17.
During the protest, Meshenlo Kath, President CTAN said that the protest has been organised to safeguard the future of all Naga youths and aspirants. “If the regularization is done the rest of the aspirants and youths have no future. We are not asking for something which is not ours, we are asking for something which rightfully belongs to the aspirants,” stated Kath who encouraged individuals not to be mere spectators, or remain silent on the issue.
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Extending solidarity with the protesters, Teiso Bio from NURSF (Lumami) mentioned that almost 40 people from Nagaland University Lumami have come to support the cause. Bio stated that they stand not only for the fundamental rights but so that the rights of the people are not misused.
Expressing that the government committing a grave injustice to future generation, Bio said, “Many wants to prepare for exams but because of these kind of injustice we feel discouraged.”
“Favoritism taking place of merit and fairness is not merely an administrative failure but direct attack on the aspirations of hardworking people,” articulated some protestors.
Having dedicated years for academic pursuits, another protester clarified that the protest is not against the teachers “but the real issue is that the entry into system did not follow an open recruitment which is not fair”.
CTAN President Meshenlo, along with other officials after submitting their representation to the officials at the Directorate of Higher Education, highlighted that it was not a fruitful discussion inside the office but rather an explanation of the same. “They still sided on wanting to absorb those people and I did not find it meaningful going inside the office to talk,” said Kath.
The protest witnessed more than 300 aggrieved aspirants including representatives from CTAN , NNQF, NURSF (Lumami and Kohima) , Naga Students Union Tripura, Naga Research Scholars Forum Shillong, NIT, Nagaland Library Association, CEAN etc.
