MLA Achumbemo Kikon, Chairman SDPDB Bhandari and Chairman, Environment and Climate Change Committee, Nagaland Legislative Assembly graced the felicitation programme to honour NBSE HSLC Rank 1 Lungyihangle Nring from St. Paul Hr. Sec School Dimapur who secured 98.67 percent and other meritorious HSLC and HSSLC students, organised by the Zeliangrong Students’ Union Nagaland.
The event was held at Jubilee Hall, St. Xavier Parish Church, Jalukie, informed a press release. In his address, MLA Kikon congratulated the seven toppers and other high-achieving students from the Zeliangrong community. He emphasized that this achievement marks a significant moment for the community, recalling that the last HSLC topper Cherakung Zeliang who secured 99 percent also hailed from the Zeliangrong community was in 1997, who is now serving in the Indian Foreign Service. He also highlighted the legacy of Haipou Jadonang, a freedom fighter from the community, who made the ultimate sacrifice In resisting British colonial rule and is honored every year on Martyr’s Day, August 29th. Furthermore, he noted that the first Naga nuclear scientist, Er. Chireuding Zeliang, also hail from the Zeliangrong community.
Citing these remarkable individuals, MLA Kikon reminded the audience that the Zeliangrong people have a proud history of excellence and leadership. He encouraged the community to continue striving for greater achievements and to take pride in their contributions, urging them not to underestimate their potential.
He expressed concern that despite such accomplishments, the community continues to be categorized as a Backward Tribe. He encouraged reflection on this status, suggesting that the community itself may consider moving beyond this label, as they have demonstrated capabilities equal to any other group within Naga society.
MLA Kikon advocated for a more equitable system of reservation, one based on socio-economic status and regional infrastructural development rather than solely on tribal classification. He added that reservation should be given to the educational sector now by providing more well equipped teachers to the remote areas and the necessary tech required for educating the students. He illustrated this point with the example of individuals who, once benefiting from job reservations, now enjoy full access to resources and opportunities. He proposed that such individuals, or the so-called “creamy layer,” might no longer require reservation benefits, thereby allowing those in genuinely disadvantaged circumstances to receive the support they need.
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In this regard, the MLA stated two new proposition in justification of his argument from shifting of Government job reservation from job to educational sector.
(1). Since the government is finding It difficult to review the existing backward quota till the exercise of new census is completed, the government can at least set the duration of the continuation of the existing backward quota to about 2 to 3 years at most .
(2) . After the completion of 2 to 3, years the reservation will be in a different form— “change the job reservation into educational reservation.
To further implement these propositions, a special incentive or scholarship may be provided to those identified areas /pocket wise and let them invest that particular amount for special tuition for the students and depute extra teachers in all government run schools with special allowance apart from their normal pay.
If the above propositions are adopted, MLA Kikon confidently asserted that the citizens/students who belong to those backward localities/ areas will definitely catch up and compete with the rest of the advanced citizens (areas) within no time, if not they will be able to overtake the rest of the advanced (areas) amongst the Naga communities.
He praised the INICIO Foundation for recognizing three students from remote areas who overcame significant hardship to pass their HSLC examinations, underscoring that this is the kind of support system that truly reflects the spirit of reservation.
MLA Kikon also noted that Jalukie and its surrounding areas are geographically well-positioned, with proximity to both the state capital, Kohima, and the commercial hub, Dimapur.
As such, residents of these areas have relatively better access to infrastructure and opportunities than many other parts of the Zeliangrong region.
Concluding his speech, MLA Kikon called for continued unity among the Zeliangrong sub-tribes— Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Inpui—emphasizing that they are one family. He cautioned against any actions that might weaken this unity, reminding everyone that a united Zeliangrong community plays a vital role in promoting solidarity among the Nagas as a whole and that they should continue to contribute positively to the Naga community.
