The Government Middle School (GMS) Marepkong, Mokokchung, has been under lockdown since September 19, as landowners demand the Nagaland government address their grievances over a 1973 employment agreement. The landowners claim the government violated the agreement, which promised them special employment preferences for Grade III and IV positions at the school.
Tensions escalated following an August 16, 2024, notification from the Department of School Education, transferring a Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) to GMS Marepkong. According to the landowners, this transfer violated the agreement by appointing an “outsider” as Grade IV staff. They issued a letter on August 31 warning of action if the transfer order was not revoked.
Despite this, the Department issued another directive on September 6, 2024, instructing the 23 transferred MTS/Grade IV staff to submit their joining reports by September 10, 2024. The directive also mentioned “ in case of non acceptance of joining report by the school”, the concerned school may write to the Principal Director stating that the school does not require MTS or Grade IV staff to the department. The landowners viewed this response as an “insult” and a sign of the department’s disregard for their concerns.
The standoff has left the 92 students enrolled at GMS Marepkong in limbo, as the landowners remain firm on continuing the lockdown until the government addresses the issue. Efforts by the Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) to mediate on September 20 were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, communication with the Department of School Education has been difficult, with key officials, including the Principal Director and Education Secretary, currently abroad on a study tour. The Sub Divisional Education Officer (SDEO) Mokokchung expressed optimism for a concrete and positive solution after reaching the Principal Director via WhatsApp, noting that a response is expected within 48 hours. However, these remain still uncertain.
The OKM has also set a deadline for the department to find an alternate solution, stating that, in case of failure, they will be compelled to take their own course of action.