CTAN and NNQF officials duruing the press conference in Kohima on April 28.
DIMAPUR, APRIL 28 (MExN): The Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) announced that they will continue their protest against the Department of Higher Education, urging organizations and citizens to join a renewed demonstration on April 29.
In a joint appeal issued today, CTAN and NNQF said the decision follows the government’s failure to revoke the controversial Cabinet order No. HTE/HE/13-3/2020 (Pt-1) 104 dated December 17, 2024. The order concerns the absorption of 147 Assistant Professors and Librarians into government colleges across Nagaland, which the organizations allege violates procedures banning contractual appointments after June 6, 2016.
"Despite the four-day peaceful protest and assurance from the concerned minister to revoke the order and dissolve the committee, there has been no positive action from the government," the CTAN and NNQF stated. The groups said the protest will continue until their demands — including the immediate dissolution of the cabinet-formed committee reviewing the appointments — are met.
The protest will gather at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday at the entrance of the Directorate of Higher Education in Kohima. Organizations have been asked to assign representatives to deliver solidarity speeches during the demonstration.
During a press conference on April 28, the CTAN and NNQF reiterated to stand firm on its demand to the government to revoke the order that allows absorption and regularisation of the 147 contractual posts under Higher Education is being addressed.
It also said that the second demand has still not being acknowledged, that is immediate requisition of the 147 posts falling after 06/06/2016 (Cabinet Office Memorandum) to NPSC for open advertisement.
The organizations said that that the two charter of demands are two sides of the same coin and added that it will not accept piece meal solution but an entire whole while observing that the government have resorted to all despicable tactics to silence, distort and or discredit this protest as it questions the core of corruption in the state.
Further, as the issue also pertains to education, it said that "it is our desire that the present 147 contractual positions continue to ensure smooth progression of the academic calendar events till these positions are being filled through NPSC. Posting of permanent faculty through NPSC CESE will naturally improve academic performance of the government colleges."
Opposing on the Constitution of committee by the Government, it expressed that "constitution of committee/s is attempt to dissolution."
"We have reasonable apprehension on the government that it is strategized to buy the government to cover its illegal acts. We are of the impression that this is a modus operandi/excuse of the government to deviate the matter to a different dimension without confronting it directly," the associations added.
It added that negotiation for committee is out of their, agenda while calling for fast track documentary solutions to the demands at hand.
NSF, ASU to launch agitation
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) announced it will launch a democratic agitation beginning April 29 after talks with the State Cabinet failed to yield results over the regularization of 147 contractual Assistant Professors.
“Despite a meeting convened this evening with the State Cabinet, it is deeply regrettable that no positive outcome emerged, and the State Government has failed to revoke the Cabinet Order,” the NSF stated.
All federating units of the NSF have been directed to mobilize volunteers and assemble at 8:30 a.m. sharp on Tuesday at NSF Oking, Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima, to initiate the first phase of the agitation.
The NSF also instructed all units to ensure maximum participation and emphasized that strict discipline, unity, and adherence to the federation's leadership must be maintained throughout the course of the agitation.
