Kohima: The Nagaland government on Thursday recalled the panel of names submitted for the IAS Select List 2024 following an escalation of protests by the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), which launched a full-scale “tools down strike” across departments.

The JCC, comprising the Confederation of All Nagaland State Services Employees Association (CANSSEA), Nagaland In-Service Doctors Association, Nagaland Secretariat Service Association, Nagaland Finance and Accounts Service Association, and the Federation of Nagaland State Engineering Service Association, intensified the agitation after more than 40 days of peaceful protests. Government drivers’ unions and the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Grade-IV Staff Employees Association also joined the strike.

The protest, now in its fourth phase, was triggered by demands for the restoration of the March 10 vacancy circular and the removal of non-NPSC/backdoor candidates from the IAS consideration list. Earlier phases included black badge campaigns, pen-down strikes, and poster campaigns. While essential services such as public transport, ambulances, school transport, sanitation, power, and PHE services were exempted, the strike significantly affected government operations at all levels.

In response, the state cabinet held an emergency session, noting that the 2020 vacancy circular for induction of non-SCS officers to the IAS had been approved by the competent authority but was never followed up with a Cabinet Memo or policy notification. It also stated that the March 10 circular issued this year lacked approval from the competent authority.

Considering representations from CANSSEA and other service associations, as well as a UPSC letter dated October 10 requesting additional documents regarding the Select List 2024, the Cabinet decided to recall the panel of names submitted to the UPSC on September 26. It also announced plans to revisit all decisions regarding the eligibility criteria for non-SCS officers for IAS induction, after consulting all stakeholders and seeking advice from the DoPT and UPSC.

Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen appealed to all concerned to cooperate and call off ongoing protests. Meanwhile, a JCC spokesperson said the committee had noted the Cabinet’s decision, which meets their demand, but a final position will be announced after a joint meeting with all participating associations and unions involved in the strike.

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