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.
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.
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.
Participants at the protest organised by the Angami Public
Organisation in Kohima on Thursday. (EM Images)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Addressing the demonstrators, APO Vice President Vikehielie
Victor said, “While reservation is a constitutional act, it needs to be
reviewed from time to time.”
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.
Victor expressed confidence that the state government would
address their demands but warned of escalated protests if ignored.
‘Enough is enough’
Participants at the protest in Wokha on Thursday. (EM
Images)
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.
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.
Lotha Hoho Joint Secretary Chumbemo T Ngullie clarified that
the protest was not against any particular community but a call for
long-overdue reform.
After the speeches, protestors submitted a memorandum to the
DC, urging the district administration to take the matter up with the higher
authorities.
In Mokokchung, Ao Senden, along with the Ao Students’
Conference (AKM), Watsü Mungdang, and Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem, rallied
at the Main Police Point.
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.
The protesters marched to the DC’s office and submitted an
ultimatum reminder addressed to the chief secretary.
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.
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.
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.
Protestors marching to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in
Dimapur on Thursday. (EM Images)
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.
