Kohima: Nagaland is bracing for a fresh wave of peaceful protests as the influential Five Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy has announced phased agitations, citing the state government’s “failure” to respond to their appeal for a review of the existing job reservation policy for backward tribes. This development comes after the committee’s memorandum, submitted on September 20, 2024, seeking a re-evaluation of the long-standing policy, reportedly met with official silence.
The Five Tribes Committee, comprising representatives from the Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho, and Sumi Hoho, had subsequently issued an ultimatum to the government on April 26, which is set to lapse on May 26. A consultative meeting held on Saturday in Chumoukedima with the five apex tribal bodies and frontal organisations cemented their decision to proceed with the protests in light of the government’s perceived inaction.
GK Zhimomi, secretary of the committee, articulated their core demands, stating that they are seeking either a complete scrapping of the reservation policy or the allocation of the remaining unreserved quota to the five tribes. He clarified that the committee is not inherently against any tribe benefiting from reservations but firmly believes that a review is long overdue, given that the policy has been in effect for 48 years. Zhimomi highlighted that the government “failed” to review the policy in 1987, and an order issued in 1989, stipulating that the reservation would continue until further notice, has remained in force ever since.
However, the committee’s move has drawn sharp opposition from student bodies representing the government-designated Backward Tribes (BTs). The Chakhesang Students’ Union, Zeliang Students’ Union, and Pochury Students’ Union have jointly voiced strong concerns, asserting that any dilution of the current policy would be detrimental to their marginalised communities. In a joint statement, these student unions underscored that the reservation policy “has been a cornerstone for addressing socio-economic inequalities faced by the BTs,” warning that any attempts to dilute its provisions would significantly harm their communities.
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