Government functioning across Nagaland came to a complete standstill on Tuesday as thousands of state employees began a three-day pen-down strike protesting the government’s alleged move to induct a non-Nagaland Civil Service (NCS) officer into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre.
The strike, called by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) — a coalition of five major government employees’ associations — marks the third phase of their ongoing agitation. The JCC has accused the state government of violating long-standing recruitment norms by recalling a vacancy circular issued on March 10, which had invited applications for IAS induction.
According to the JCC, the circular was withdrawn abruptly on the 16th day, after 11 eligible NCS officers had applied within the stipulated 15-day deadline. “The government’s silence since then has left employees deeply disappointed,” said Zubemo Lotha Tsanglao, president of the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association (CANSSEA).
The JCC has demanded that the government reinstate the original vacancy process and adhere to the Office Memorandums of 2001 and 2016, which mandate that such vacancies be advertised through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) to ensure transparency and merit-based selection.
The JCC’s member bodies include CANSSEA, the Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association (NIDA), Nagaland Secretariat Service Association (NSSA), Nagaland Finance and Accounts Service Association (NF&ASA) and Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Service Association (FONSESA).
Employees across government offices in Kohima and other districts reported for duty on Tuesday but refused to perform official tasks as part of their symbolic protest. Banners reading “Meritocracy in IAS Induction – Not Backdoor Entry” were seen displayed in several departments and secretariat premises.
“This protest is not just about a single post — it’s about defending fairness and safeguarding the future of Naga youth,” said a JCC spokesperson, emphasising that the agitation would continue peacefully until the government engages in dialogue.
The JCC had earlier organised black badge demonstrations and poster campaigns urging the government to uphold transparency in the recruitment process.
While no official statement has been issued so far, government sources indicated that the State Cabinet is likely to convene on Wednesday to deliberate on the issue and explore possible resolutions.
Also read: Nagaland govt staff to go on strike over IAS list row
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