The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), comprising CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA, and NF&ASA, will observe a three-day pen-down strike from October 14 to 16, protesting the state government’s alleged failure to address concerns over IAS induction.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, committee members said that “all government employees under the associations would report to work but abstain from duties,” stressing that the protest aims to “stand for meritocracy and protect the future of the youth.”
The committee questioned the government’s handling of the IAS selection, asking “why there is one rule for NPSC/NSSB aspirants and another for IAS induction,” and accused the authorities of “rewarding backdoor appointees and demoralizing merit-based officers.” They also raised concerns over the withdrawal of the March 10, 2025 vacancy circular after the last date of submission.
Their demands include “strict adherence to meritocracy in IAS induction,” selection “only from NPSC-recruited officers,” “full transparency in panel lists and selection criteria,” an end to political patronage, “immediate withdrawal of the biased panel list,” and restoration of the March 10 circular.
Recalling earlier phases of agitation, the committee said the first phase involved wearing black badges, while the second phase was a poster campaign. They claimed that despite these efforts, the state government had yet to initiate any dialogue.
The committee clarified that the agitation “is not directed against any individual but aimed at upholding the principle of meritocracy” and warned that “if the government fails to respond during the three-day pen-down agitation, the committee will decide the next course of action.”
CANSSEA Kiphire to join JCC, schools exempted
In an official intimation, CANSSEA unit Kiphire District stated its readiness to participate in solidarity with the JCC. The protest is aimed at addressing “non-fulfilment of demand for withdrawal on non NPSC candidate from the state list of non SCS officials for induction into the IAS” and “no restoration of the vacancy circular dated 10 March 2025 to ensure transparency and uphold merit in future selection of non SCS officers for IAS induction.”
Schools and colleges have been exempted from the strike in view of ongoing examinations, as per circular JCC.MC/2025/03 dated October 10, 2025. Members were also reminded to “adhere to official protocol and mark attendance in your respective workstation” during the pen-down strike.
