Dimapur, April 19 (MExN): The National Students’ Union of India, Nagaland has expressed strong resentment over the Nagaland Government’s move to regularise 147 contractual Assistant Professors and Librarians, terming it a brazen violation of existing government orders and recruitment rules.
Referring to the department’s justification that these appointments were made on an “exigency fixed pay basis against non-sanctioned posts” after June 6, 2016, the NSUI maintained that such action directly contravenes the Office Memorandum dated July 16, 2018, which clearly imposed a “ban on appointment without sanctioned posts.”
The Union also came down heavily on the Higher Education Minister, Temjen Imna Along, for what it described as “irresponsible and insensitive” remarks made to the media. The Minister's clarification, instead of easing public concern, has only exacerbated the issue, the NSUI stated, accusing him of either being completely unaware of the developments within his department or of being directly complicit in facilitating the backdoor appointments.
The Union said his dismissive tone reflects a lack of seriousness in addressing a matter that affects thousands of qualified aspirants across the state.
Expressing further concern, the NSUI highlighted a letter dated April 8, 2025, purportedly from the Chief Secretary, which denied any official knowledge of the transfer and posting of the Assistant Professors and Librarians—despite the order being widely circulated on social media.
“This contradiction from the highest office of the state is a grave issue, amounting to impersonation, and warrants immediate investigation. Failure to do so would only reflect the inefficiency and negligence of the government,” it asserted.
The NSUI Nagaland has demanded the immediate nullification of all contract appointments made after June 6, 2016. It further called for disciplinary action against all erring officials and beneficiaries of backdoor appointments, with a directive to recover all salaries drawn and deposit the same into the state exchequer.
Additionally, the Union has demanded the filing of a criminal case with the Vigilance Commission against those responsible, in accordance with the Office Memorandum of July 16, 2018.
Calling for systemic accountability, the NSUI has also demanded the removal of the Minister for Higher Education, stating that he has failed to uphold the principles of transparency and meritocracy in the department. It reiterated the need for fair, open, and competitive recruitment processes to ensure equal opportunity for all eligible candidates and to restore public confidence in the state’s governance.
The NSUI Nagaland affirmed that it is exploring all democratic and legal avenues to seek justice and pledged that it will leave no stone unturned in pursuing the matter.
