Wokha
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 29
Nagaland, on May 29, witnessed what was termed as the first phase of an agitation against the contentious job reservation policy of the state government. Affiliates of the 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy rallied simultaneously at the headquarters of the districts dominated by the 5 tribes— Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma and Sema.
They submitted representations, addressed to the Chief Secretary, to the Deputy Commissioners of Kohima, Mokokchung, Niuland, Tseminyu, Wokha, Chümoukedima, Zunheboto and Dimapur. In the representations, they reminded the state government of the memorandum submitted on September 20, 2024, and the 30-day ultimatum submitted on April 26, 2025. The ultimatum expired on May 26.
As per the representations submitted, today, the committee received a letter from the state government on May 28 but it “failed to address the core concerns and issues raised in the Memorandum.” The letter was dated May 25.
The committee, formed in August 2023, is pushing for review of what is alleged to be an unfair job reservation policy in the government sector. According to them, the Nagaland state government’s job reservation quota for the ‘Backward Tribes’ (BT), in place since 1977 without review, has had the aforementioned 5 tribes in a disadvantageous situation.
The demand for reviewing and rationalising the BT job reservation was initially taken up by the students’ bodies of the 5 tribes. It subsequently resulted in the formation of the committee now undertaking the agitation.
“We are therefore resorting to this democratic form of agitation by holding public protest rallies in all the districts inhabited by 5 tribes and submit this Ultimatum Reminder to remind the state government of our legitimate demands. We intend to intensify the agitation in various forms till our grievances are addressed as brought out in the 5 Tribes CoRRP Memorandum of 20/09/2024,” read an excerpt of the representations submitted to the government on May 28.
KOHIMA
In Kohima, following a brief programme held outside the APO building, the protestors marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office to submit a memorandum.
“When we see something that is not right, not fair, not just, we have to speak up, we have to say something, we have to do something” said Diezevisie Nakhro, President of Angami Students’ Union (ASU).
Vikehielie Victor, Vice President, APO, while acknowledging the reservation policy as a constitutional act which should be reviewed from time to time, reminded that it’s time for the state government to review the policy after 48 years.
“The state government has implemented the policy for the past 48 years which I believe it has immensely benefited all the backward tribes” stated Victor.
Victor maintained that certain percentage of reservation for backward tribes is legitimate; however reservation for each backward tribe is demeaning the merit of deserving candidates.
In a memorandum to the Chief Secretary through the Deputy Commissioner Kohima, the Angami Public Organisation (APO) reminded the government on its failure to respond to the September 20, 2024 Memorandum and the 30 days ultimatum of April 26, 2025. It also reminded that the ultimatum was submitted by the 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy, a committee mandated by the five tribe apex bodies, i.e., Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho and Sumi Hoho.
It cautioned that “we intend to intensify the agitation in various forms till our grievances are addressed.”
WOKHA
In Wokha, LSU President Lirhonthung E Kithan made it clear that the ongoing reservation system has been stagnant for nearly five decades and urged the government to take action, stressing that "enough is enough." He underlined the need for a comprehensive review of the policy to ensure true equality for all communities in Nagaland.
LYH President Limhathung N. Yanthan criticized the current reservation system for creating disparities, where "backward tribes" are allowed to appear for competitive exams with only a Class 12 qualification, while "advanced tribes" are required to have graduate degrees. He called for an immediate overhaul of the policy, including the option to either abolish it entirely or allocate the remaining unreserved quotas exclusively for the five tribes.
LH Joint Secretary Chumbemo T. Ngullie clarified that the protest was not against the reservation benefits enjoyed by certain tribes, but a demand for the government to reevaluate and reform the system. He also highlighted the underrepresentation of "advanced tribes" in government jobs, pointing out that some villages have not produced a single government employee due to the systemic imbalance.
The protest culminated in a march to the office of Deputy Commissioner Vineet Kumar, IAS, where the group submitted a memorandum requesting the government’s intervention.
MOKOKCHUNG
In Mokokchung, Marsanen Imsong, President of Ao Senden, stated that five tribes are united in their opposition to the current job reservation policy. He clarified that the protest is not against any individual or tribe, but is a call for justice, equality, equal opportunity, equal rights, and meritocracy within Naga society.
“Our children today are highly qualified, yet students with lesser marks secure jobs due to the reservation policy,” Imsong remarked. “The BTs have benefited from this system for 48 years. It is demotivating and demoralizing for others.”
Lanutoshi Aier, President of the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), expressed concern that new tribes continue to be added under the ‘backward’ category, leading to the expansion of the reservation quota. He noted that the reservation for BTs now stands at 37%, and when combined with the reservation for persons with disabilities, the total reaches 41%.
Aier said that despite the intent of the policy, many of the truly underprivileged do not benefit. Instead, the benefits are often availed by the wealthy and influential in urban centers like Kohima and Dimapur. “This issue is widely discussed among us in various forums,” he added.
He also criticized the use of reservation as a political tool. “The government has used this policy for appeasement and vote-bank politics. While committees are formed, their recommendations are rarely implemented,” Aier stated. He further pointed out the issue of “carry-forward” vacancies—where reserved posts go unfilled when no qualifying candidate from a specific BT is available and are simply carried over to future recruitment cycles. “These backlogs must be addressed. If a candidate from the reserved group cannot qualify, the opportunity should be opened to others,” he argued.
ZUNHEBOTO
In Zunheboto, people took to the streets in a the rally organized by the Sumi Hoho. The protest rally commenced from the District Sports Council Ground and marched towards the office of the Deputy Commissioner. Upon reaching the office, Dr. Vihuto Asumi, President of Sumi Hoho, submitted a rejoinder ultimatum and handed it to Moa Lemtor, NCS, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Zunheboto.
Asumi urged the District Administration to ensure that the voices of the district be stated to the higher authority as a government representation at the district level and he questions "where is meritocracy and equality" he emphasised that they wanted to promote equality and meritocracy in Nagaland.
He further stressed that "The GoN have invited the 5 tribes for a consultative meeting on June 3, we hope that things will be properly settled but if the demands are not accepted, we are prepared to go for a series of agitation in the coming days".
