Nagaland: 5 Tribes Hold Protest Against 48-Year-Old Reservation Policy

Nagaland: Representatives from the Ao Senden, Angami Public Organisation, Sumi Hoho, Lotha Hoho, and Rengma Hoho attended the rally.

A strong protest has erupted in Nagaland as anger mounts over the continuation of a nearly five-decade-old job reservation policy for backward tribes.

The 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) launched the first phase of its agitation today, sharply criticizing the Nagaland state government for what it calls decades of neglect and failure to reform an outdated and unequal reservation system.

Defying appeals from the state government to call off the protests, members of the Angami tribe staged a peaceful yet resolute rally at Phoolbari in Kohima.

The demonstrators marched towards the office of the Kohima Deputy Commissioner, holding placards and raising slogans that echoed deep-seated frustration over what they see as an outdated and unjust policy that has gone unreviewed for 48 years.

Representatives from the Ao Senden, Angami Public Organisation, Sumi Hoho, Lotha Hoho, and Rengma Hoho attended the rally.

It is important to note that the CoRRP argues that the reservation policy which was implemented since 1977, has remained unchanged for 48 years, despite assurances that it would be reviewed.

The 5 tribe-committee stated that the existing reservation policy has systematically marginalized what they term the ‘non-backward’ tribes.

Vikehelie Victor, Vice President of the Angami Public Organisation, highlighted that the policy was originally scheduled for review in 1987. However, no such review was conducted. Instead, a government order issued in 1989 extended the policy indefinitely—an extension that remains in effect to this day without any reassessment.

Victor further stated that the 5 tribes are not against those tribes in the reserved quota also known as the ‘backward tribes’.

Protest marches were simultaneously held across all district headquarters inhabited by the 5 tribes. Demonstrators marched to the respective Deputy Commissioners’ offices, where they submitted an ‘Ultimatum Reminder’ addressed to the Nagaland Chief Secretary through the DCs.

Under the current reservation policy in Nagaland, 25% of all government posts both gazetted and non-gazetted are reserved for the 7 Eastern tribes: Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Yimchunger, Chang, Tikhir, and Khiamniungan.

Similarly, the Governor further reserves 12% of all posts for the Chakhesang, Zeliang, Pochury and Sumi of Kiphire district.

Also Read: First Khelo India Beach Games: Manipur Tops, Nagaland Joins Top Three

COMMENTS