Reservation Row: 5 tribes launch multi-district protests in Nagaland

Marsanen Imsong leading the protest rally from Main Police Point to Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Mokokchung, on Thursday.

• DIMAPUR —  Nagaland on Thursday witnessed coordinated protests across multiple districts as five tribes—Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi—mobilised under the Five Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) to demand either a comprehensive review of the state’s 48-year-old job reservation policy or allocation of the unreserved quota to the five tribes.
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• Implemented in 1977, Nagaland’s reservation policy allocates 37% of government jobs to BTs—25% for seven Eastern Nagaland tribes and 12% for four others. Originally intended for a 10-year term, the policy was extended indefinitely in 1989 without a formal review. The CoRRP contends that this has led to systemic disparities, with BTs receiving multiple benefits, including lower educational qualifications and age relaxations, while “advanced tribes” face stricter criteria.

Also read: Reservation Row: 5 tribes set to agitate despite Nagaland government’s invitation for dialogue

• In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on September 20, 2024, the committee demanded either the policy’s abolition or exclusive reservation of the remaining unreserved quota for the five tribes, who constitute nearly 55% of the state’s Scheduled Tribe population.
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• Participants at the protest organised by the Angami Public Organisation in Kohima on Thursday. (EM Images)

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• Reiterating the demand during the protest in Dimapur, GK Zhimomi, Member Secretary of the Five Tribes CoRRP, pointed out that at least seven review committees have been formed over the years, but none had included representatives from the non-backward tribes.
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• Zhimomi criticised the government’s inaction despite repeated appeals, memoranda and ultimatums. “If the government refuses to review the policy, it should scrap it altogether or allocate the unreserved quota to the five tribes,” he said.
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• While the advanced tribes had initially stood in solidarity with underprivileged communities, believing justice was being served, the time has now come for a review, he added.
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• He also disclosed that while protest preparations were underway, the state government communicated through a letter dated May 25 and received on May 28 that a review committee had been formed on May 7. However, Zhimomi termed the move as a “tactic to derail the movement” and announced that a simultaneous protest would be held during a scheduled consultative meeting with the deputy chief minister on June 3.
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• The protest in Dimapur was jointly organised by the Chakhro Angami Kuda Union, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Dimapur Lotha Hoho, Rengma Public Organisation Dimapur, Dimapur Sumi Council and East Dimapur Sumi Council, whose leaders also addressed the rally.
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• After the programme held at the DC Court junction, protestors marched to the deputy commissioner’s office and submitted an “ultimatum reminder” addressed to the chief secretary.
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• In the state capital, the Angami Public Organisation (APO) organised a protest march from its office to the DC’s office, where it submitted a memorandum reiterating CoRRP’s demands.
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• Addressing the demonstrators, APO Vice President Vikehielie Victor said, “While reservation is a constitutional act, it needs to be reviewed from time to time.”
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• He called for an end to tribe-wise reservation and the backlog system, arguing that these practices are fuelling tribalism. “We are not against any tribe or community. We are here fighting for our rights,” he stated, adding that the current structure limits opportunities for advanced tribes.
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• Victor expressed confidence that the state government would address their demands but warned of escalated protests if ignored.
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• ‘Enough is enough’
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• Participants at the protest in Wokha on Thursday. (EM Images)

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• In Wokha town, the Lotha Students’ Union president, Lirhonthung E Kithan, stated that only a fair review of the policy can ensure true equality in society. “Enough is enough,” he said, lamenting the government’s inaction and highlighting the disparity faced by non-backward tribes in state recruitment.
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• President of the Lotha Youth Hoho Limhathung N Yanthan pointed out that while backward tribes can appear for exams with Class 12 qualifications, so-called “advanced” tribes must hold graduate degrees. He said the demand is either for the scrapping of the reservation policy or for unreserved posts to be allocated to the five tribes.
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• Lotha Hoho Joint Secretary Chumbemo T Ngullie clarified that the protest was not against any particular community but a call for long-overdue reform.
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• After the speeches, protestors submitted a memorandum to the DC, urging the district administration to take the matter up with the higher authorities.
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• In Mokokchung, Ao Senden, along with the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), Watsü Mungdang, and Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem, rallied at the Main Police Point.
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• Addressing the protest, Ao Senden President Marsanen Imsong highlighted that the original 25% reservation for seven tribes had ballooned to 37%, with more sub-tribes added over time. “Our children, with advanced degrees, are highly qualified, yet students with lower marks secure jobs due to reservations,” he said, adding that the policy demoralises non-BT tribes.
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• The protesters marched to the DC’s office and submitted an ultimatum reminder addressed to the chief secretary.
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• Meanwhile, in Zunheboto, civil society organisations, students, and the general public participated in the march from the District Sports Council Ground to the DC office.
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• Dr. Vihuto Asumi, President of Sumi Hoho, handed over a rejoinder ultimatum to Additional Deputy Commissioner Moa Lemtor, urging the district administration to convey their message to higher authorities. Calling for merit-based equality in state recruitment, he went on to say that further agitation will follow if the government fails to resolve the issue at the June 3 meeting.
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• The Rengma Hoho organised a protest march culminating in the submission of a memorandum to the DC in Tseminyu. The document reiterated the CoRRP’s demands and warned of intensified protests if the state government fails to address their concerns.
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• Protestors marching to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Dimapur on Thursday. (EM Images)

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• In a statement issued after the protest, the Rengma Hoho stated that it was “left with no other option” than to undertake this democratic form of agitation to draw the state’s attention.