Nagaland govt assures review of job reservation policy; CoRRP suspends stir

Faced with growing pressure over demands for a review of the state’s reservation policy, the Nagaland government on Tuesday, June 3, met with representatives of the 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) and five apex tribal bodies. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton at the Chief Secretary’s Conference Hall, ended with what the committee called a set of “assurances” from the state.

In a press release, the committee stated: “After intense deliberations, the state govt assured that the core demands as brought out in our Memorandum of 20/09/2024 will be placed in the next Cabinet meeting and the decision including setting up of an Independent Commission on Reservation Policy will be conveyed to us within the next fortnight.

While the government has not made a public statement following the meeting, the CoRRP said that as a result of these assurances, it would pause its protest plans — for now.

“As requested by the Hon’ble Deputy CM and his four other cabinet colleagues, the second phase of agitation will be kept in abeyance till 17th June 2025,” the committee said, expressing “hope that the state cabinet will take a well-informed decision and honour the assurances given today.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton announced on X that he chaired a meeting on Tuesday to review the reservation policy in government employment. He was joined by Chief Secretary Dr J Alam, and Ministers Kaito Aye, Temjen Imna Along, Metsubo Jamir, and K Salhoutuonuo.

Representatives from the 5-Tribes Committee and key tribal organisations—Ao Senden, Angami Public Org, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho & Sumi Hoho—shared their views and concerns during the deliberations.

Patton said that the government remains committed to hearing all voices. “We believe dialogue and participation are the foundation of effective policy,” Patton said, adding that “agitations and dharnas are not the answer”

“We must keep open channels of communication to ensure decisions are made with fairness, clarity, and consensus to ensure that governance serves every community justly,” he said.

MT