The 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) has expressed concern over the inaction of the state government despite the Cabinet’s decision to set up a commission to review the current Reservation Policy.

Reiterating its two core demands – either to scrap the existing Reservation Policy or to allocate the unreserved quota to the five tribes, the committee stated that while the announcement to constitute a commission is acknowledged, the state government is yet to respond to the demands.

“During the meeting held on 3rd June 2025, we had clearly and firmly conveyed to the state government that it must come to a decision on these two fundamental issues. Unfortunately, there has been no substantive progress or official communication in this regard,” the committee said in a statement on Monday.

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The CoRRP also clarified that the composition of the proposed commission must exclude civil society organizations (CSOs) from its membership. “This is essential to uphold the neutrality, fairness and integrity of the commission’s work and to prevent any conflict of interest or undue influence,” the statement said.

Urging the state government to act decisively and transparently in addressing the long-standing concerns, the committee reaffirmed that it stands committed to constructive engagement but reserves the right to initiate appropriate democratic measures if the issues remain unaddressed within a reasonable timeframe.

The state government had, on June 3, assured to set up an independent commission to study the state’s existing reservation policy following a meeting with the five apex tribe bodies of Ao, Angami, Sumi, Lotha and Rengma and their CoRRP. Subsequently, on June 12, the state Cabinet approved the setting up of said commission.

“The idea of the commission is not to take away the reservation or put more reservation. For many years this has not been reviewed in a proper manner,” government spokesperson and minister Temjen Imna Along had told reporters after the Cabinet sitting. He said the commission would be constituted to check the discrepancies as per the demand of the five tribes. It was also informed then that Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio made it clear at the Cabinet meeting that only “people of integrity and who are academicians and qualified people” would be appointed in the commission.