Itanagar, June 19: The All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) has appointed Ashok Doka as its Interim President to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the organization amid an ongoing legal dispute concerning the office of the President.
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| Ashok Doka Interim President OF ANSU |
The appointment was formally announced through a special notification issued on June 19, 2026. According to ANSU, the decision became necessary following court orders that continue to restrain former president Lezen Gyadi from discharging presidential duties pending the resolution of a legal case.
The union stated that an interim injunction in connection with Title Suit No. 21/2024 was restored by the Gauhati High Court on March 19, 2026. The judicial restraint was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of India on May 20, 2026, and remains in force until the matter is finally adjudicated.
Following the court directives, Vice-President Romesh Maga assumed charge as Acting President under Article 14(2) of the ANSU Constitution. However, with the constitutionally mandated three-month transitional period nearing its end and fresh elections considered legally impractical while the case remains pending, the union said an extraordinary constitutional arrangement was required to avoid an administrative vacuum.
ANSU further noted that the office of President for the current tenure is reserved for the East Kameng Zone under the union’s zonal rotation system, while Acting President Romesh Maga belongs to the Kamle Zone. To maintain constitutional propriety and zonal representation, Maga reportedly declined to continue in the position beyond the transitional period.
The appointment of Ashok Doka was recommended by the Central Executive Body (CEB) during its meeting on June 14 and later ratified by an absolute majority during a Special Joint Session of the General Assembly and the CEB held on June 19.
Addressing the media, Team ANSU clarified that the appointment is purely an interim administrative arrangement and does not affect the legal rights or claims of any party involved in the ongoing litigation. Doka will oversee the affairs of the union until the final outcome of Title Suit No. 21/2024 and related judicial proceedings.
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Reaffirming its commitment to constitutional governance, ANSU stated that the decision reflects the organization’s dedication to democratic principles, transparency, institutional continuity, and the rule of law. The union emphasized that its primary responsibility is to safeguard the interests of the Nyishi student community while ensuring that the institution continues to function effectively during the ongoing legal process.
“No individual is above the Constitution. When leadership is under judicial scrutiny, the responsibility to protect the institution, uphold democratic norms, and ensure organizational continuity becomes paramount,” the union stated.
