After day-3 protest, medical students warn of intensified agitation if govt fails to act
Amid the Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) announcing an agitation against the August 18, 2025 notification issued by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, calling for the direct regularization of 280 contractual posts of COVID appointees through a departmental screening committee, the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare has clarified that the decision followed an order of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, dated August 1, 2025.
According to the department, the High Court dismissed NMSA’s challenge to the state government’s policy decision to conduct a Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) for medical officers who had served during the pandemic. It said the Court observed that the petitioners lacked locus standi to contest the policy, ruling that they were not aggrieved parties and had not established grounds for judicial intervention under Article 226 of the Constitution.
However, Bonoto P Zimo, General Secretary of NMSA, speaking to Mokokchung Times, refuted this, saying, “The NMSA in the history have never filed a case.” Zimo clarified that the petition was filed against regularization by “a group of petitioners who have already finished and completed their MBBS with the thought that if such regularization takes place, it will affect our future.”
Zimo further said that “the public has been misled by the government’s court order.” Thanking the public and parents for their support, he added, “we have been receiving a lot of support from various angles but… the support can be much better.”
He also acknowledged the Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN), calling it “an organization that has supported every aspirant irrespective of any department.”
Following their third day of protest on September 2, Zimo informed that “they will not protest on September 3 as they have submitted a representation to the department.” However, in a statement, the Association noted that “as of today, no response has been received from the Government regarding the representation.”
NMSA reiterated its demands, which include:
“Immediate revocation of the notification issued by the Department of Health & Family Welfare.”
“Requisitioning of all sanctioned posts to the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC)/Nagaland Staff Selection Board (NSSB).”
“Conduct of open and fair recruitment examinations through NPSC/NSSB, comprising written examination and viva voce, in strict adherence to service rules and recruitment procedures.”
The Association emphasized that it “wishes to place on record that if the Government fails to address and comply with the demands made, NMSA will be compelled to intensify its agitation by launching the next phase of protest.”
Reiterating its stand, the NMSA said it “remains committed to ensuring transparency, fairness, and justice in public recruitment, and appeals for the continued understanding and support of the public.”