Government operations across Nagaland came to a standstill on Tuesday as the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), representing five major employee associations, initiated a three-day pen-down strike. The action has disrupted administrative functions in offices throughout the state, highlighting deep concerns over procedural irregularities in the induction of officers into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

The JCC, which includes the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association (CANSSEA), 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), is protesting the state government's decision to recall a March 2025 vacancy circular. This recall is perceived as an effort to facilitate the induction of a non-Nagaland Civil Service (NCS) officer, bypassing established protocols.

The controversy originated when the government issued the circular on March 10, 2025, inviting applications within 15 days for IAS positions. Eleven candidates submitted applications; however, the circular was withdrawn on the 16th day. Employee groups insist that inductions must follow Office Memorandums from 2001 and 2016, which require open advertisements and selections through the Nagaland Public Service Commission to ensure transparency and merit.

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CANSSEA president Zubemo Lotha Tsanglao stated that the withdrawal undermined fair competition. "The process must adhere to rules that protect merit-based advancement," he noted. Prior phases of protest, including wearing black badges and displaying posters, failed to elicit a response from authorities, prompting the escalation to the pen-down strike.

Employees are reporting to workplaces in districts and the state capital but refraining from performing duties, with banners proclaiming "Meritocracy in IAS Induction – Not Backdoor Entry" visible at office premises. A JCC spokesperson confirmed that the strike aims to preserve institutional integrity and opportunities for local Naga youth, emphasizing that no disciplinary memos or dialogue initiatives have been issued by the government despite the action.

The impact extends to essential services, with delays in processing public documents, approvals, and routine administrative tasks. In government hospitals, engineering departments, and secretariats, personnel from various sectors are participating, underscoring unified opposition to perceived favoritism.

Attempts to obtain comments from government officials were unsuccessful. Sources within the administration indicate that the State Cabinet is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to discuss the matter, potentially leading to a resolution.

This dispute reflects broader issues in civil service governance, where deviations from merit can erode public trust and discourage qualified individuals from state services. In Nagaland, a state with unique cultural and administrative frameworks under Article 371A of the Indian Constitution, such conflicts often intersect with demands for equitable representation.

As the strike progresses through Thursday, observers anticipate possible extensions if demands remain unaddressed. Civil society organizations have expressed support, calling for adherence to regulatory frameworks to prevent precedents of irregular appointments. The outcome of the cabinet meeting could determine whether normalcy returns or if further legal and agitational measures are pursued, potentially affecting governance stability in the region.

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