CANSSEA announces three-day pen down strike from October 14

DIMAPUR — The Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) has announced that it will enforce a three-day pen down strike across all government offices in Nagaland beginning October 14.

In a circular, the association stated that the decision was taken following the state government’s “silence and nonchalant attitude” towards its demand for withdrawal of “non-NPSC candidate” from the select list of Non-State Civil Service (Non-SCS) officers for induction into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

It maintained that despite repeated appeals, the government had failed to address its grievance over what it described as the “subversion of meritocracy.”

According to the association, the inclusion of “non-NPSC candidate” in the select list, finalised on September 25, 2025, undermined transparency and fairness in the selection process.

Also read: CANSSEA stages protest, submits demands to Nagaland government

Nagaland: CANSSEA questions ‘double standard’ in IAS induction process

“While it is expected of the government to uphold merit, it is observed that the government is in favour of ushering in backdoor officers for induction into the country’s most prestigious and premier service such as the IAS,” the circular stated.

The association demand the withdrawal of the non-NPSC candidate from the select list of Non-SCS officers for induction into the IAS, and the restoration of the Vacancy Circular dated March 10, 2025, in its entirety to ensure merit-based and transparent future selections.

The CANSSEA also informed that the pen down strike would continue alongside earlier forms of protest, including the wearing of black ribbons or badges and poster campaigns.