Ad hoc teachers in Nagaland protest at Secretariat, seek immediate regularisation of 1,166 ANATG 2015 batch educators.
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KOHIMA — A protest by the 2015 batch of All Nagaland Ad hoc Teachers’ Group (ANATG) briefly turned violent on Friday when “frustrated” teachers attempted to force their way into the Civil Secretariat complex while trying to submit a memorandum to the government.
The teachers had taken out a procession from Naga Solidarity Park to the Secretariat Junction to submit their representation. However, they were initially denied entry, following which a scuffle ensued near the gate.
“This is all due to the frustration of the members because we have been denied our service regularisation for the past minimum of 14–15 years,” said Lhovito Sheqi, a graduate teacher from Zunheboto.
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Sheqi said that a core committee comprising district unit leaders was scheduled to submit the memorandum to the government, but the incident occurred just before the submission. He described the situation as “very unfortunate”.
The 2015 batch of ANATG has been staging a protest in Kohima since February 4, demanding regularisation of their services. Since the protest began, the teachers have twice met the screening committee chairperson and officials of School Education department.
Later on Friday, the teachers formally submitted a letter to the chief secretary, demanding immediate regularisation of 1,166 ANATG-2015 batch teachers.
In the memorandum, the teachers insisted that their regularisation should be carried out in accordance with the High Powered Committee Agreement 2022 signed between the government of Nagaland and the ANATG 2015 batch on October 7, 2022.
“The ANATG assures to suspend the democratic protest basing on the nature and feasibility of the written communication from the department in response to this letter which is anticipated at the earliest,” the memorandum stated.
Sheqi also alleged that a “blame game” was delaying their regularisation, adding that teachers were being asked to submit more documents despite verification and suitability tests having been conducted in 2017.
“We are frustrated. We do not want to come to the street as teachers. But since the government is adamant to our demand, we are compelled to come to the street again,” he said.
He added that the group is prepared to continue the protest if no positive solution is reached.
This is the third time in nine years that the 2015 batch of ad hoc teachers has protested for regularisation—earlier in 2018, again in 2022, and now in 2026.