Several student’s organizations have strongly opposed the move of the state government to regularize 147 Assistant Professors/Librarians, which they said has flouted all government orders and recruitment rules.
NSUI: National Students’ union of India (NSUI) while expressing resentment on the “brazen and arbitrary” decision of the Higher Education Department, said the department’s claim that all vacancies available have been requisitioned to NPSC and no posts to be requisitioned to NPSC, was completely flawed.
In a press release, NSUI media cell questioned the government that if no sanctioned posts exist, then what was the reason for engaging 147 Assistant Professors on a fixed pay basis?
NSUI also expressed shocked on the clarification letter by the “Chief Secretary dated 10th April 2025, denying that the government has any knowledge about the transfer and posting of Assistant Professors/Librarians order dated 8th April 2025”.
They said that the contradiction from the same office was an extremely serious matter that amounts to “impersonation of the highest office of the state and requires urgent and thorough investigation”, and demanded immediate nullification of all contract appointments made after June 6, 2016 and initiated disciplinary action against the erring officials and backdoor appointees, and “all remunerations enjoyed by them be recovered and deposited into the state exchequer”.
The union also demanded “Criminal prosecution of the erring officials by filing an FIR with the Vigilance Commission’ as per the O.M. dated 16th July 2018”.
NSUI also pointed out that the clarification made by minister, Temjen Imna Along, has further exacerbated the matter by his “irresponsible and insensitive comments”, which indicated that “he has no knowledge of the matter or he is directly involved in facilitating these backdoor appointments”.
They therefore demanded the removal of the minister for Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, for demonstrating “ineptitude and failure to uphold transparency and accountability in the department” and appealed for fair, merit-based recruitment practices ensuring equal opportunities for all eligible candidates and restoring confidence in the governance systems.
TSDU: Tenyimi Students’ Union Dimapur (TSUD) said the “arbitrary appointments” and absorption of assistant professors and librarians, have raised concern about fairness and transparency in recruitment process.
In a statement, TSUD president, Sotilo Seb and general secretary, Chiehepe Kapfo stated that the actions have undermined meritocracy and erode public trust, and therefore deamanded that the recruitment be carried out through established and transparent mechanisms to uphold the principles of equity and justice.
The union said that acknowledged the sacrifices of the professors, and demanded justice for such “unjust and unfair practices” and urged the department to act with integrity, transparency and accountability in shaping the future of education in Nagaland.
ANCSU: All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has appreciated the service rendered by the contractual teachers towards the government colleges in particular and the students’ at large. However, the mode of appointments made was in contravention to the laid down rules and regulations has led to an outrage from the aspirants.
In a press release, ANCSU president, Tenyesinlo Bukh and general secretary, Kivinoka Sema said that they have raised concerns on the acute shortage of faculty in government colleges, especially in light of the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) and the introduction of the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), and through a representation demanded the creation of necessary posts and timely recruitment through proper process.
However, the prolonged issue with existing contractual teachers from 2009 till date have mushroomed to one fifth of the existing regular teachers, resulting to dependency on these teachers by the colleges.
In this regard, ANCSU appealed to the state government to rollback the absorption order and invite the concerned stakeholders to arrive at an amicable solution, which should be in the interest of the aspirants and the colleges.
NMSA: Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) has objected the move of the government to regularize the Assistant Professors and Librarians under the Department of Higher Education, stating that the decision has undermined the merit, perseverance, and legitimate expectations of qualified aspirants preparing to compete through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC).
In a statement, NMSA president, Pito S Rochil and general secretary, Bonoto Zhimo said this was not an isolated case, and recalled the recent attempt to regularize 280 contractual posts, including contractual medical officers, in the Health Department without due process—denying fair opportunity to qualified candidates.
They demanded that all 168 contractual Medical Officer posts from the COVID period be requisitioned to NPSC for proper recruitment.
NMSA also reiterated that all appointments must be conducted through a transparent and advertised process under NPSC/NSSB, no individual or group should be granted undue privilege at the expense of constitutional justice and public trust and backdoor appointments must be unequivocally rejected.
Further, NMSA demanded the immediate revocation of the order and appealed to the government to: cancel the said order without delay and halt all irregular regularizations, requisition all vacant posts to NPSC/NSSB for a fair, open, and merit-based selection process and restore faith among the aspirants of Nagaland by upholding equal opportunity and rejecting all forms of nepotism and administrative shortcuts.
NMSA also extended solidarity with the aspirants of Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) for “courageously defending” the rights of students and the integrity of the public institutions.
AKTK: Ao Students’ Union Kohima (AKTK) has expressed concern on the recent reports on the appointment of contractual Assistant Professors and Librarians that have by-passed established recruitment norms.
In a statement, AKTK president, Sentilong Longchar and general secretary, Moasunep said such appointments, have not only undermine public trust but threaten to “institutionalize mediocrity over excellence”.
Therefore, AKTK appealed to the government to take the matter with the utmost seriousness and to initiate a thorough review, so as to restore faith in the system and uphold the principles of equity, merit, and transparency.