In a rare show of unity, five major Naga tribes — Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi — held coordinated protest rallies across Nagaland on Thursday, demanding a review of the state’s job reservation policy that has remained unchanged since 1977.
The protests, led by the 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CORRP), were held in multiple districts including Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, and Wokha, despite bad weather. Protesters, dressed in traditional attire, submitted an “ultimatum reminder” to their respective Deputy Commissioners, citing the government’s failure to respond to previous appeals.
“Our demand is simple — fairness and justice,” said CORRP in a memorandum. The committee called for an immediate review of the policy and regular updates every 10 years, as originally promised.
CORRP Secretary G.K. Zhimomi, speaking at Dimapur, said, “48 years is too long. The policy must be updated or extended to include us.”
Nagaland’s job quota currently allocates 37% to ‘Backward Tribes,’ but critics argue the policy has become outdated and discriminatory. The state government has now invited CORRP for talks on June 3. Ahead of this, a peaceful dharna is planned outside the Civil Secretariat in Kohima on June 2.
