Five major Naga community—Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi—on Thursday held coordinated protest rallies across eight districts of Nagaland, demanding a timebound review of the state’s job reservation policy.
Despite inclement weather, members of the tribes, dressed in traditional attire, marched to their respective Deputy Commissioners’ offices in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Tseminyu, Chümoukedima, and Niuland. The protests were organized under the banner of the 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP), which submitted an “Ultimatum Reminder” to the Chief Secretary through the respective DCs.
The letter reiterated the committee’s dissatisfaction with the Nagaland government’s “inadequate” response to two earlier communications: a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister on September 20, 2024, and a 30-day ultimatum served on April 26, 2025. It stated that the government’s latest reply, sent via the Home Commissioner on May 25 and received on May 28, “failed to address the core concerns” raised.
“We are therefore resorting to this democratic form of agitation by holding public protest rallies in all the districts inhabited by the 5 Tribes and submit this Ultimatum Reminder to remind the State Government of our legitimate demands,” the committee stated, warning that the agitation would intensify if the demands are not addressed.
In Mokokchung, Ao Senden president Marsanen Imsong clarified that the protest was “not against any tribe but the reservation policy.”
Tracing the history of reservation in Nagaland, he noted that after statehood in 1963, the first policy in 1967 reserved 80% of seats for indigenous Nagas and 20% for the general category.
However, in 1977, a significant change was made when 25% of the 80% was allocated to seven tribes identified as “economically and educationally backward.”
Imsong pointed out that within these seven tribes were multiple sub-tribes. “When the government recognized the sub-tribes, another 12% was added, leading to a total of 37% reservation,” he said. “Now, if we include the 4% reservation for persons with disabilities, the total reservation has exceeded 40%.”
Calling for an equitable review, he remarked, “There are no first-class Naga citizens or second-class citizens. For 48 years, they have deservingly taken the benefits of the reservation.”
AKM President Lanutoshi Aier termed the current system as “more like an appeasement policy” and raised the need to revoke backlog of backward tribe reservation by 2025. “If the government cannot review, they will have to abolish the policy,” he stated.
Imnaonen Pongen, President of MTLT, demanded a “timebound review of job reservation”, “equal representation”, and a “system based on merit and not tribal classification”. He urged the government to “listen to the voice of the people if you truly are to serve the public”.
In Dimapur, CoRRP member secretary GK Zhimomi addressed the gathering, stating: “If the government is not serious enough to review the reservation policy citing lack of data from the census, then either scrap the policy or reserve for the five tribes as well.”
He added, “Our message should be loud and clear—48 years is enough. It’s time for a comprehensive review. The five tribes have come together for the first time on this platform to put our grievances to the government and policymakers.”
In the state capital Kohima, the rally was spearheaded by the Angami Public Organisation (APO), joined by Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho, and Sumi Hoho under the CoRRP banner.
APO vice president Vikehielie Victor said, “This public protest rally is organised to express our resentment against the state government’s indifferent attitude to our genuine demand for a review of the job reservation policy.”
(With inputs from PTI)