The Five Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy has called upon the public, particularly youth and students, to abstain from participating in all State Government functions, including the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, as part of its ongoing agitation over unresolved issues with the state’s reservation policy.
In a press release issued from its camp office in Dimapur, the Committee said the decision marked “a step further” in its protest against what it termed the State Government’s continued unresponsiveness.
The Committee expressed appreciation to the five apex tribal bodies — Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho, and Sumi Hoho — for upholding the joint resolutions adopted on August 9 and for issuing coordinated circulars to their respective frontal organizations and subunits for non-participation in all State Government functions.
Appealing for unity, the Committee said: “We humbly appeal to all the public, particularly the youths and students to come forward, united in one voice and express our resentments through this peaceful non-participation which forms part of our democratic rights.”
It also cautioned the State Government against “coercing or intimidating” leaders of civil society organizations or the public through government agencies, warning that such actions could lead to “untoward situations.”