Even as its three-day pen down culminated on Thursday, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA and NF&ASA has decided to extend the pen down strike from October 17, 2025 till further instructions.
JCC through its media cell said the decision was taken after “having considered the facts and prevailing circumstances.” The pen down strike has been called to the protest against the “subversion of meritocracy” in the non-SCS IAS induction process.
However, considering the welfare of the student community, the JCC has exempted teachers and educational institutions from the purview of the Pen-down strike henceforth on the request of the All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA).
JCC appreciated every member of ANSTA for standing steadfast and resolute in their support for meritocracy.
JCC informed that all other modalities for pen down strike issued earlier would remain enforced.
Meanwhile, JCC has expressed gratitude to all associations, organisations and individuals both overt and covert, who have “overwhelmingly come in support of this noble cause of meritocracy.” JCC also expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to the public during the pen down strike. It appealed to the conscience of all right-thinking citizens of Nagaland to bear with the protest until the goal was achieved for the benefit of the future generation to inherit a system of fairness and merit.
ANSTA seeks exemption: All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) has requested joint coordination committee (JCC) to exempt teachers and educational institutions from the ongoing pen down strike and future agitations.
In a letter to the JCC convenor, ANSTA president Kasheto Sumi and general secretary Pekinto Y. Jimo expressed solidarity with the collective movement undertaken by JCC in pursuit of the common cause of justice and the rights of government employees in the State.
However, ANSTA appealed for exemption of teachers and educational institutions including schools and colleges from the ongoing pen down strike and any future forms of agitation that could be called by the JCC.
Reaffirming “full support” towards the legitimate demands and unified voice of all government employees under JCC, ANSTA appealed that the teaching community and educational institutions be granted exemption.
CTAN back ongoing pen down strike: Combined Technical Association of Nagaland (CTAN) has extended support to the ongoing pen down strike initiated JCC of CANSSEA, FONSESA, NIDA, NSSA and NF&ASA.
In a press release, CTAN convenor Er. Meshenlo Kath and co-convenor Er. Kaqheto affirmed and solidarity with the state service associations in their “rightful demand” for transparency, meritocracy, and adherence to due process in the induction of officers into IAS.
CTAN maintained that irregularities in the selection process, including alleged backdoor appointments, undermined the principles of fairness and equal opportunity that were essential for the progress of Nagaland’s public administration. “Such practices not only demoralize dedicated employees but also erode public trust in our governance systems,” CTAN said.
It said pen down strike was a necessary step to highlight those critical issues. CTAN urged the state government to rectify them promptly. It also called upon all right-thinking organizations to join in this collective effort, ensuring that voices were heard unitedly for a just and equitable system.