Nagaland RMSA-2016 Teachers Association (NRMSATA) on Monday announced the launch of the phase-II agitation against what it called the state government’s “continued failure” to implement the court orders pertaining to its demand for “equal pay for equal work.”
In a press release, NRMSATA informed that that beginning September 1, 2025, all RMSA-2016 teachers would “enforce a total boycott” of classes across Nagaland. The association stated that the collective action would directly affect teaching and academic activities in 133 educational institutions statewide.
For over nine years, the RMSA-2016 teachers said they have faithfully served the student community, despite facing wage injustice, delayed salaries, and prolonged legal battles financed from their meagre fixed pay.
Since September 2018, the teachers said thy have pursued justice through the courts, and multiple rulings have affirmed their rightful claim. However, the association said the state government chose to defy those “binding orders”, pushing the teachers into a position where peaceful agitation remained their only option.
RMSA teachers said they were aware of the consequences such an action would have on students, parents, and the education system at large. However, they said the government’s “persistent indifference”, disregard for judicial directives, and refusal to uphold even the most basic principles of fairness had left them with no alternative.
In compliance with the court’s directions, NRMSATA reiterated demands including service recognition from 2016; implementation of ROP 2017 with annual increments on a par with SSA–RMSA 2010–13 counterparts and release of all the arrears.
The association has appealed to the people of Nagaland, civil society organisations, student bodies, and well-wishers to stand with them in this struggle for justice and dignity.
“Until the government acts with responsibility and sincerity, the RMSA-2016 teachers will continue to intensify our agitation,” the association affirmed.
NLSF: Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) has expressed strong solidarity with the RMSA teachers of Nagaland, who have resorted to protest over the alleged non-compliance of court orders by the state government.
In a press release, NLSF president Neivisielie Rino and general secretary Temsu I Jr said that the “deliberate non-compliance” with the judgment amounted to contempt of court and a serious violation of the rule of law.
It reminded that the Division Bench of Gauhati High Court, vide judgment and order dated March 16, 2022, in W.A. No. 9/2020, had directed the state respondents to grant the RMSA teachers the scale of pay at pay band of Rs. 9300-34,800 with grade pay of Rs. 4200 per month. The order was later upheld by the Supreme Court in SLP (C) No. 19524/2022.
According to NLSF, the teachers, despite being the direct beneficiaries of the judgment, had shown remarkable patience and restraint since the verdict. However, it said the ongoing pen-down strike by NRMSATA since August 26, 2025, had become a matter of serious concern for the student community.
It cautioned that the continued denial of justice not only jeopardised the livelihood of teachers but also undermined the integrity of government high school institutions and the very foundation of quality education in the state.
NLSF urged the state government to uphold the dignity of the court by ensuring justice to the aggrieved teachers and protecting the educational rights of children in Nagaland.
SSUK: Sangtam Students’ Union Kohima (SSUK) has expressed concern over the plight of the 2016 batch of Nagaland RMSA teachers, who it said have been subjected to serious neglect and injustice by the state government.
In a press release, SSUK president Longtili C Sangtam and general secretary Herila Sangtam said it was disheartened that even after the Supreme Court delivered a clear verdict granting scale pay to the batch, the order had remained unimplemented for more than three months. It also pointed out that the salaries of the teachers had been withheld for five months, forcing them to continue their duties without pay.
Terming the situation as unjust and an affront to the dignity of work, SSUK said depriving teachers of their rightful dues amounted to undermining the foundation of the education system. Stating that teachers were the backbone of society, SSUK said to deny them their rights is to erode the very system that nurtures future generations.
Extending solidarity with the aggrieved teachers, SSUK demanded that the state government immediately release all pending salaries, implement the Supreme Court’s directive on scale pay in letter and spirit, and ensure fairness and accountability in its dealings with educators.
The union also appealed to student bodies, civil society organisations and the wider public to raise their voices against such injustice and to ensure that teachers were accorded the respect and fairness they deserved.