Public dialogue on '147' calls for justice, transparency and systemic reform in Nagaland

• KOHIMA — The ‘Public Dialogue on 147’ delved on critical issues plaguing Nagaland, including governance, education, and corruption. It addressed not only the contentious issue of regularising the 147 contractual posts but also called for working towards a just society and transparent process of requisition.
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• Organised by the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) and the Nagaland NET Qualified Forum (NNQF) at Angami Women Organisation conference hall, the dialogue represented the protestors’ latest response to the Nagaland Cabinet’s decision to regularise 147 contractual posts without following due recruitment procedures.
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• The state government’s silence following the expiry of an earlier requisition deadline further fuelled the call for accountability and transparency.
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• Speakers and participants during the ‘Public Dialogue on 147’ in Kohima on Saturday.

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• The venerable peace activist Niketu Iralu, a member of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, lauded CTAN and NNQF for initiating the dialogue and maintained that protests like these—though full of frustration and outrage—also reveal a deep yearning for justice and a better future.
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• “Problems are not meant to divide us, but to shape us,” Iralu said. He identified the core issue as the lack of adherence to “due process” in governance and stressed that justice and fairness must become unchallengeable norms in public administration. “A just society is one that grows in trust and obedience to truth,” he added.
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• Education system under the lens
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• Former Nagaland University pro-vice chancellor, Prof. GT Thong, spoke from the perspective of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He questioned whether government colleges in Nagaland, which serve around 30% of the student population, are equipped to implement the policy given the shortage of infrastructure and qualified faculty.

Also read: Public dialogue rekindles debate over 147 contractual posts in Nagaland

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• He pointed out that even if the 147 posts are filled, the number would still be insufficient and recommended appointing guest faculty through formal procedures.
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• The retired professor also underscored the need for research-driven higher education and warned against mediocrity caused by poor academic planning. Raising concerns over past question paper leaks, he argued for increasing the weightage of written tests over interviews to ensure a meritocratic recruitment system.
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• Robert N Solo, general secretary of Kezekevi Thehouba and Searching Together, extended full support to CTAN and NNQF, warning that if the movement fails, “there is no future for Nagaland.”
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• Pointing out that over 90% of High Court cases in the state involve service rules, Solo urged churches and civil society organisations to rally behind the fight against corruption.
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• Social activist and politician Kahuto Chishi also offered strong support, stating that injustice is deeply entrenched in the current system. “I have no faith in the elected leaders,” he said, alleging deliberate wrongdoing and urging citizens to protest rather than remain silent.
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• “Right is right, and wrong is wrong—there is no grey area here,” he asserted.
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• Concerns over assessment criteria and recruitment
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• NNQF core committee member Videkhono Yhokha raised concerns over discrepancies in academic marking systems across different boards and time periods, which disadvantage certain candidates in the recruitment process.
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• She suggested increasing the weightage of the written exam to 70% and reducing the interview component to 10%, arguing that interviews are more prone to manipulation.
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• CTAN convenor Meshenlo Kath criticised the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC), calling it outdated and lacking subject experts. He cited past issues, including a website hacking incident, and questioned the integrity of the system.
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• He said that the number of post was actually 151 but 147 became popular. These posts were created for "very special" people according to the department, he said.
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• Initially, the department denied creating any posts but later stated that eight had been created, he said. However, on two separate occasions, CTAN and NNQF found that the actual number of posts created was 129, he said, adding that they will continue to pursue the matter until the requisition is completed.
• Empty chairs and unanswered invitations
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• The dialogue saw active participation from attendees during the three-hour session. Notably, invitations were extended to department officials and the minister-in-charge, but they did not attend, leaving their seats symbolically empty.