The functioning of government offices across Nagaland came to a standstill on Tuesday as the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), comprising five major employees’ associations, launched a three-day pen-down strike.

The agitation is in protest against the state government’s move to induct a non-Nagaland Civil Service (NCS) officer into the IAS cadre. The controversy began after the government recalled its March 10 vacancy circular, which had invited applications for IAS induction, allegedly to accommodate a non-state cadre officer.

The JCC — comprising 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) — has demanded adherence to Office Memorandums of 2001 and 2016, which mandate open recruitment through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC).

“In March 2025, the government issued a vacancy circular giving 15 days for applications. Eleven applicants submitted, but on the 16th day, the government recalled the circular,” said CANSSEA president Zubemo Lotha Tsanglao.

Despite earlier protests, including black badge and poster campaigns, the government has not initiated dialogue with the associations. Frustrated by the silence, the JCC escalated its agitation into the third phase with the ongoing strike.
A JCC spokesperson said employees are attending offices but refraining from work as a symbolic protest to “uphold meritocracy and protect the future of Naga youth.” Banners reading “Meritocracy in IAS induction – not backdoor entry” have been displayed in offices across the state.

The government has yet to respond to the demands or issue any directive against the strike. However, sources indicated that the State Cabinet is likely to deliberate on the issue in its meeting on Wednesday.