Nagaland Teachers Begin Indefinite Strike Over Service Benefits

Kohima, Aug 26 (PTI): Academic activities came to a standstill in 133 government high schools throughout Nagaland on Tuesday as the 2016 batch of the Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association (NRMSTA) commenced a phase-wise indefinite agitation. The protest was launched over long-standing demands concerning service benefits. The agitation began with a pen-down strike after an ultimatum issued by the teachers to the state government expired on August 13.

The association stated that the protest was driven by the government's ongoing silence despite favorable court verdicts. "Our members are attending their respective schools but are refraining from any pen and paper work," said NRMSATA-2016 president Imlitemjen to PTI.

The Gauhati High Court Division Bench had ruled in favor of the teachers on March 16, 2022, and the decision was later upheld by the Supreme Court on May 20, 2025. The teachers are demanding the recognition of salary and service benefits from their year of appointment in 2016, the implementation of the ROP 2017 pay scale with annual increments aligning with SSA–RMSA 2010–13 teachers, and the enforcement of an Office Memorandum dated March 29, 2017.

When approached for comments, Mission Director of Samagra Shiksha Nagaland, L Jamithung Lotha, mentioned that the state government filed a review petition in the Supreme Court on August 14. "Since the matter is still in court, we appeal for patience and encourage waiting for the outcome," he stated.

It is noted that government schools across the state were conducting second term examinations, and as a result, regular classes were not scheduled for Tuesday.