Minister Imna Along gives verbal assurance to revoke order absorbing 147 faculty
DIMAPUR, APRIL 24 (MExN): The Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) have announced the suspension of their agitation scheduled for April 25, following a meeting with the Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Temjen Imna Along. The announcement comes amid growing public support for the protest movement, which has entered its fourth day on April 24.
According to a joint press statement issued by the two organizations on April 24, the Minister gave a verbal assurance that the Cabinet’s decision to absorb 147 Assistant Professors and Librarians without open recruitment would be revoked. "He also assured that the file would be put up by 25th April 2025 in the early hours," the statement noted. On this basis, CTAN and NNQF stated they are calling off the agitation “in good faith,” but remain vigilant and committed to the interests of aspirants across the state.
The two bodies extended their gratitude to “all the Unions/Association/Organisations/Individuals and well-wishers who have rendered their support in our battle against corruption.”
Meanwhile, the CTAN informed that if the assurance is not met, they would continue the agitation.
The controversy erupted following a Nagaland Cabinet decision to approve the order dated December 17, 2024 (Order No. HTE/HE/13-3/2020 (Pt-1) 104), which approved the direct absorption of 147 contractual Assistant Professors and Librarians into regular service under the Higher Education Department. The move was widely condemned by aspirants and civil society groups as a violation of the principle of merit-based recruitment.
CTAN and NNQF—both representing unemployed technical graduates and NET-qualified aspirants—have argued that the absorption bypasses the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) and undermines fair competition. In response to the decision, the two organizations launched a protest campaign on April 21, which has since gained traction across student bodies and the general public.
Faced with the growing backlash, the Nagaland Cabinet convened an emergency meeting on April 21 and subsequently decided to keep the controversial order in abeyance. A five-member committee was also announced to examine the matter and submit recommendations within seven to eight weeks.
Despite the temporary suspension of the government’s order, CTAN and NNQF had maintained their demand for complete revocation. With Thursday’s verbal assurance from the Higher Education Minister, the groups have now opted to pause their agitation, pending visible government action.
