NSF members march with banner towards the Directorate of Higher Education, Kohima, during a protest rally on April 29, opposing the September 11, 2024 State Cabinet decision to absorb 147 assistant professors and librarians. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | April 29
In a growing display of frustration over the Nagaland government’s failure to address the absorption of 147 assistant professors and librarians, two separate protests—the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on one side and the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) with the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) on the other—converged today at the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE).
Heightened security and minor altercations marked the convergence of the two groups at the site, with tensions arising primarily between the protesters and security personnel deployed at the location.
While the NSF launched its agitation today, CTAN and NNQF are already into the fifth day of demonstrations. Both parties demand the revocation of the relevant government orders: the NSF seeks reversal of the September 11, 2024 order, and CTAN and NNQF call for the cancellation of the December 17, 2024 order. Despite the different dates, both directives are deemed problematic by the protesters.
Fairness is non-negotiable
At Naga Solidarity Park, the NSF gathered its federating units for a brief programme before marching to the DHE. Addressing the crowd, NSF President Medovi Rhi declared, “Today, we are not here to sing and shout empty slogans; we are united because fairness is non-negotiable.” He condemned the injustice faced by aspirants who had diligently prepared for exams only to have their opportunities removed, calling it “an attack on the very idol of meritocracy.”
Invoking constitutional guarantees, Rhi cited Articles 14, 16 and 309, emphasising that “no authority, not even a Cabinet decision, can override fundamental rights.”
“We seek not favour but what is rightfully ours—a system built on merit,” he added, denouncing the “illegal absorption” and assuring the students that the Federation’s will continue to fight until justice is delivered. He also reiterated demand for revocation of the Cabinet decision
NSF Vice President Mteisuiding Heraang stated that the Federation has been actively pursuing the issue in its quest for justice, and that it is now fully in the hands its Federation. He also urged the gathering to maintain discipline and refrain from any form of violence.
Upon arrival at the DHE, NSF protesters briefly attempted to push past the uniformed personnel guarding the gate, leading to a minor scuffle.
After negotiations, NSF leaders were permitted to meet the director, but no resolution was reached.
In another instance, there was exchange of words between the two aggrieved parties, when some students’ leaders reportedly asked CTAN and NNQF to take down their banner.
Meanwhile, there were initial indications that both sides might hold a joint protest going forward, but no positive outcome emerged from the discussions.
