The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of Nagaland has decided to continue its ongoing Pen Down Strike while offering a three-day window for dialogue, following a meeting convened by the Chief Secretary with administrative heads, service associations, and JCC members on Thursday, October 30.
According to a statement issued by the JCC’s Media Cell, the meeting was called at the advice of the Cabinet to explore a “workable dialogue” to address the JCC’s core demands – namely, the withdrawal of the non-NPSC candidate from the panel list and the restoration of the Vacancy Circular issued on March 10, 2025.
The JCC, however, stated that its demands “upholding meritocracy are non-negotiable and non-bargainable,” adding that any dialogue “which falls short of our core demands” would be unacceptable unless it facilitates their fulfillment.
The statement further noted that both the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), upon receiving representations from the JCC, have communicated back placing the onus of resolving the issue on the State Government.
“It is interesting to note that the ball is now in the court of the State Government and any act of omission or commission rests solely upon its decisions,” the JCC stated, adding that neither the DoPT nor the UPSC could be held responsible for the matter any longer.
The JCC said it “appreciates the offer” for dialogue extended by the Chief Secretary’s office, provided it leads to the acceptance of their core demands. The committee also announced that the Pen Down Strike would continue until the demands are met, but a three-working-day window, till November 3, 2025, has been offered for any dialogue that facilitates their demands.
The statement was issued by the Media Cell of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on October 30, 2025, from Kohima.
