NMSA protest enters day 2; denies filing case against dept

Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) continued its peaceful protest for the second day outside the Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) directorate here Monday opposing the government’s decision to regularise contractual health workers recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Protestors gathered at the secretariat bus stand and marched to the department to register their protest.
Speaking at the demonstration site, NMSA president Pito S. Rochill described the agitation as an expression of resentment against “injustice”. He alleged that the government’s notification infringed upon democratic rights. Rochill said aspirants deserved the opportunity to sit for competitive examinations rather than being deprived through departmental regularisation.
He pointed out that between 2015 and 2024, the government issued only four advertisements creating 61 sanctioned posts, whereas the present order sought to regularise 98 contractual doctors at once. NMSA president said such action was “not legitimate” and would adversely affect both present and future medical aspirants.
He also questioned how Class-I gazetted officers could be appointed without going through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) or other proper recruitment channels.
NMSA president warned that if such practice was allowed in the medical department, it could spread to other departments as well.
On the department’s statement that NMSA had filed a case against the State, NMSA president clarified that the claim was “misleading.” He said that NMSA had not filed any case, adding that the petition before the court had been submitted by senior petitioners. He further stated that the court had not issued any directive to regularise the appointments, but had only dismissed the petition.
Terming the issue “very sensitive,” the NMSA president questioned the credibility of allowing appointments without proper examinations.
Extending solidarity with NMSA, Combined of Technical Associations of Nagaland (CTAN) convenor Er. Meshenlo Kath said that CTAN was not against doctors, nurses, or technicians whose names appeared in the list of 280. However, he urged the government to reconsider the matter.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of contractual doctors during the pandemic, Kath, however, maintained that such service alone could not justify regularisation. He suggested that like in other states, preference for COVID warriors could be granted through additional marks in competitive examinations.
In a representation submitted to the chief secretary and principal director of H&FW, NMSA described the government’s decision as “arbitrary, unconstitutional, and in direct violation of the Nagaland Health Service Rules, 2006,” which mandate that recruitment to Class-I gazetted posts must be conducted exclusively through NPSC via duly advertised written examinations and viva voce.
The association stated that the notification infringed upon fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution and asserted that it could not remain a “mute spectator” to such violations.
Therefore, NMSA has reiterated its demands including immediate revocation of notification No. HFW(A)10/34/2024/145 dated August 18, 2025 and immediate requisitioning of all sanctioned posts to NPSC/NSSB for open, merit-based recruitment in strict adherence to service rules.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice, fairness, and transparency in recruitment, NMSA cautioned that if the demands were not met, the association would be compelled to continue its peaceful agitation to safeguard meritocracy and the rights of medical aspirants in the State.
Meanwhile NMSA has sought the support of citizens, student bodies, and civil society organisations in its ongoing protest against the state government’s decision.
NMSA urged student bodies, described as “the torchbearers of tomorrow (September 2),” and civil society organisations, “the conscience of the people,” to stand in solidarity with its ongoing agitation.
The association reiterated that its protests were being carried out to safeguard meritocracy, ensure transparency, and protect the legitimate rights of medical aspirants in Nagaland.