Naga Students' Federation issues 7-day ultimatum to state government over regularisation issue

Published on Apr 21, 2025

Naga Students' Federation president Medovi Rhi speaking to the media in Kohima on Monday.
KOHIMA — The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has served a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to revoke the order regularising 147 assistant professors and librarians who were appointed on contract.
President of NSF Medovi Rhi told media persons after a meeting held between a delegation of NSF and All Nagaland College Students Union (ANSCU) with the Minister for Higher Education Temjen Imna Along and department officials in Kohima on Monday.
"We are very hopeful that the government will revoke the decisions, or else it will compel the federation and student community to come to the streets,” Rhi said.
According to him, the minister relayed that the matter would be discussed at the emergency Cabinet meeting scheduled for later in the day.

“The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) is compelled to issue this urgent ultimatum to the government regarding the unjust decision made by the Cabinet on 11th Sept. 2024, to absorb contractual assistant professors into permanent positions without considering the merit and qualifications of existing faculty members.
“Why has the department still not revoked the order?” read the ultimatum.
It added that absorption of contractual assistant professors without a stringent evaluation process undermines the principles of fairness and equity in academia and jeopardises the future of many deserving candidates who have dedicated years to their educational and professional development.
The federation stated that it was compelled to serve a 7-day period to roll back the Cabinet decision after the government had failed to revoke the same even after several appeals.
“If the government fails to act within the stipulated timeframe to address our concerns by the 28th of April 2025, the federation will be compelled and have no choice but to take to the streets,” it maintained.
The federation demanded transparency, meritocracy, and accountability in the recruitment and promotion process. “Failure to act will provoke a wave of protests and mobilisations as we seek to protect the integrity of our educational institutions and uphold the rights and interests of the student community,” the NSF stated.