Responding to an appeal by the State Government, the Five Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) limited its planned indefinite sit-in protest to a symbolic one-day demonstration on Tuesday outside the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima. The protest drew thousands of participants representing the Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi tribes, united under the slogan “48 Years Too Long.”

The Committee clarified that the decision to limit the protest to a day was made in good faith, anticipating that the State Government would honour its commitment to engage in dialogue once Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio returns to the State later this week. However, CoRRP warned that the agitation would intensify if the Government fails to respond decisively.

Speaking during the protest, GK Zhimomi, Member Secretary of 5 Tribes CoRRP, referred to earlier protests held across district headquarters and highlighted the progression of the movement. He said that while memorandums were submitted and several press releases issued, this sit-in was organized to bring attention to the unresolved concerns.

He said that the indefinite reservation policy has been practiced for 48 years but now it is enough. “The thoughts of an individual does not translate unless we come together on a single platform,” he added.

Zhimomi traced the movement back to 2016 when five student bodies jointly submitted a six-point charter of demands to the Government, however, the matter dragged on for six years. He said that the Government stated that it would give an answer only after the next census. Having sensed that, the 5 apex bodies came together in August 2023, he added.

Zhimomi said seeing the disadvantages of students alone, they decided to take the matter forward, each nominating one representative from each tribe to form the Committee.

He further stated that the Committee engaged with various stakeholders, different people, who could give their opinions, after which they concluded that it was time to take the matters to the state Government. He said a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister on September 20, 2024, listing out issues which were not addressed and presented two core demand— the existing reservation policy or give them the balance of the unreserved quota.

He said on April 26, the committee issued a one-month ultimatum, warning of democratic protests if their demands remained unaddressed, but still the government did not take any action.  He said on May 24, the Committee decided to start agitation and protests began on May 29 across all district headquarters, drawing the attention of the government.

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Subsequently, on June 3, the Government held a meeting with the committee, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton. While the two core demands were reiterated, the meeting concluded with a decision to constitute an independent commission, he added.

However, on July 2, the Chief Minister again stated that any review of the reservation policy would only happen after the next census, which sounded like the same old excuse.

“That is why we decided to launch today’s agitation,” Zhimomi emphasized. He added since the government and the ministers assured that there would be a sitting across the table after Chief Minister arrives from abroad, “we agreed to restrict our protest to one day”.

In his keynote address, Er. Tesinlo Semy, Convenor of the 5 Tribes CoRRP, asserted that the reservation policy, originally intended to be reviewed every decade, has remained frozen for nearly 50 years. “This policy was never meant to be permanent, yet it has continued unchecked for 48 years, leaving entire communities disadvantaged and justice stagnating,” he said.

Semy outlined several concerns: the absence of a creamy layer exclusion that allows economically affluent individuals to continue availing benefits, disproportionate internal reservations benefiting select tribes while sideling others, discrepancies in age relaxation and cutoff marks for recruitment exams.

He also pointed to the neglect of multiple committee reports constituted by the Government over the years, which have recommended reforms but remain unimplemented.

Chants for justice and equity echoed through the capital as protestors demanded either a complete overhaul of the existing reservation system or a fair and proportionate allocation of unreserved quotas among the five aggrieved tribes. The protest, though charged with deep emotion, remained peaceful and well-organized, featuring cultural performances, prayers, and powerful speeches that underscored the urgency of their demands.

Leaders of the five apex tribal bodies—Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho, and Sumi Hoho—delivered solidarity speeches reaffirming their collective call for fair and rightful representation. While emphasizing that their protest was not divisive, they emphasized the need for a just system that reflects current demographic and socio-economic realities.

Throughout the day, the protest remained calm yet resolute, marked by strong community participation and a shared sense of historical urgency. Traditional attire, placards, and songs of resistance transformed the Secretariat junction into a vibrant display of culture and conviction.

Issuing a firm warning, the 5 Tribes CoRRP declared that this sit-in is only the beginning and that more intense democratic agitations will follow if the Government fails to act swiftly and meaningfully. “Are we expected to wait another four years and celebrate the golden jubilee of a flawed policy?” Semy questioned. “Forty-eight years is enough. The time to act is now.”

The day-long protest concluded with a renewed commitment from the CoRRP to escalate its agitation if the State Government fails to honour its commitment.

The protest program was chaired by GK Zhimomi, Member Secretary of 5 Tribes CoRRP, with the invocation pronounced by Lipoknungsang Jamir, Pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Church. The event saw the participation of all key stakeholders.

Sit-in protest reaffirms call for review of 48-year-old “indefinite reservation policy”: 5 Tribe CoRRP

The 5 Tribes CoRRP today said that the sit-in protest reaffirms their commitment to pursue the core demands made to the state Government arising out of 48 years “indefinite reservation policy”.

In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the Committee expressed gratitude to all the 5 apex bodies, i.e., Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho & Sumi Hoho for their unstinted support and presence at the Sit-in Protest to deliver solidarity messages.

It appreciated the exuberant involvement of the youth and student bodies from 5 tribes that continue to drive the movement, while also appreciating Angami Students’ Union (ASU) for making all necessary arrangements for today’s sit-in protest.

The Committee further thanked the district administration and law enforcing agencies for their security and traffic arrangements that ensured the passage of a peaceful gathering and also the participants who turned up in huge numbers to express solidarity.