CANSSEA to launch symbolic protest against IAS induction policy

DIMAPUR — The Confederation of All Nagaland State Service Employees’ Association (CANSSEA) has announced that its members will begin wearing black ribbons and badges from September 25 as a symbolic display of resentment against the state government’s decision to convene a screening of Non-SCS (State Civil Service) officers for induction into the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

In a circular issued on Wednesday, the confederation stated that the move was decided upon following the recommendation of its core committee and action committee, after several representations to the government failed to yield a response.

It criticised the authorities for proceeding with the screening without restoring the earlier advertisement circular dated March 10, 2025.

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According to the circular, members across associations in Kohima have been directed to compulsorily wear black ribbons or badges during the first phase of the protest.

While the action is limited to offices within Kohima, unaffiliated associations and offices have been invited to extend solidarity.

The CANSSEA asserted that the protest was a peaceful and symbolic measure aimed at expressing strong opposition to what it described as a government policy “circumventing merit” and opening avenues for induction into the IAS “without legally tenable modes of recruitment.”

Such a move, it warned, risked setting a “dangerous and treacherous path” for the state’s administrative system.

Emphasising discipline, the circular reminded members to maintain official protocol, workplace attendance, and decorum, underscoring that the demonstration must not lead to disruption of government functioning.

The CANSSEA further informed that the black ribbon campaign would mark only the first phase of its agitation. Future courses of action would be determined based on recommendations of the core and action committees, and intimated to members in due course.