Nagaland Puts Regularization of Assistant Professors on Hold, Forms Review Panel

KOHIMA — In response to mounting protests, the Nagaland Cabinet has decided to keep in abeyance the regularization of 147 assistant professors and librarians, pending a detailed review. A five-member committee chaired by Agriculture Production Commissioner Wezope Kenye has been tasked with submitting a report within two months.

Announcing the decision after an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, Minister for Higher Education and Tourism Temjen Imna Along said the government has taken serious note of the agitations by various stakeholders. “The Cabinet deliberated at length and decided to keep the regularisation in abeyance. Further discussions will be held with all stakeholders,” he said.

Also Read- CTAN and NNQF Stage Massive Protest in Kohima, Demand Minister’s Resignation

The minister appealed to the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF), Confederation of Teachers’ Association of Nagaland (CTAN), and affiliated bodies to halt their agitation and allow the committee to complete its assessment.

The government’s decision came hours after the NSF issued a seven-day ultimatum, demanding a rollback of what it called an “unjust” cabinet decision taken on September 11, 2024, to regularise contractual teaching staff “without considering the merit and qualifications of existing faculty members.”

Also Read- Tensions Erupt Again at Assam-Nagaland Border as Merapani Turns Flashpoint

In a letter to the higher education minister on Monday, the NSF said, “If the government fails to act within the stipulated timeframe to address our concerns by April 28, 2025, the Federation will be compelled to take to the streets.”

On Sunday, the NSF had also instructed its members and affiliates to refrain from participating in any “peaceful dharna” supporting the regularisation move.

Also Read- Assam Rifles Airlifts Injured 2-Year-Old from Remote Manipur Village

Calling the decision a “win-win situation,” Along clarified that contractual appointments in higher education have been ongoing since 2009, and were based on genuine institutional needs—such as the 2020 teacher shortage at Wangkhao Government College in Mon, which led to a three-day student protest.

“The government is not ignoring the aspirations of these educators. We are committed to creating more posts in accordance with the NEP 2020, and to appointing the right candidates for the right positions,” he added.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Power, KG Kenye, stressed that the newly formed committee will take a neutral and thorough approach. “This is a sensitive issue in the education sector, and we do not want teachers or students to suffer,” Kenye said, urging protesters to return to dialogue.

However , the CTAN and NNQF have reportedly not accepted the government’s move to constitute the committee which they see as “delaying tactics”.