File photo of a rally being held in Kohima in May this year to protest against the Nagaland Government’s Reservation Policy. (Morung File Photo)
Protest covers Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Tseminyu, Zunheboto, Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 13 (MExN): In an escalation over Nagaland’s Job Reservation Policy, the Five Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) and the apex tribal bodies of the Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sümi communities have called for indefinite non-participation in all State Government functions, including the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, across eight districts of the State.
In a press release dated August 13, CoRRP said the move was “a step further in our agitation against the unresolved issues in which the State Government has remained unresponsive so far.” It expressed appreciation to “the five apex tribal bodies – Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho and Sumi Hoho – for standing by our joint meeting resolutions of August 9 and issuing a coordinated circular to all its frontal organizations and subunits for non-participation in all State Government functions.”
The Committee appealed to “all the public, particularly the youths and students to come forward, united in one voice and express our resentments through this peaceful non-participation which forms part of our democratic rights.” It further urged the State Government “to avoid the temptation of coercing or intimidating the leaders of CSOs and public through use of govt agencies at this stage to avoid any untoward situations.”
The CoRRP issued “General Instructions for Non-Participation in all State Government Functions” signed by Convenor Er Tesinlo Semy and Member Secretary GK Zhimomi. The boycott will remain “indefinite until the state government gives satisfactory response on the issues raised which are: (a) Revisit the composition of Reservation Review Commission and revoke the inclusion of members from CSOs; (b) No delay or extension for Reservation Review Commission tenure beyond six months; (c) Suspension of Backward Tribe Reservation Policy if the State Government is determined to interlink the outcome of Reservation Review Commission with the completion of census.”
It stated that “non-participation in all State Govt functions will be in the form of abstaining from all meetings and functions called/organized by the State Government on any issue or occasion” and instructed the five apex bodies to ensure compliance through their frontal organisations and subunits across Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Tseminyu, Zunheboto, Dimapur, Chümoukedima, and Niuland.
For Independence Day, the instructions outlined that the “public [is] to voluntarily abstain from attending the function… No cultural troupes will participate in any form; [and] student bodies are to ensure that no schools and colleges force their students to participate in celebrations outside their institutional premises.” It stressed that “due care must be exercised to ensure peaceful non-participation and avoid confrontations at all levels.”
From Mokokchung, the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) directed all six Range Students’ Organisations and subordinate bodies “to abstain from attending or participation in the said programme and also to monitor that no students/educational institutions participate in any Govt. programme in their respective jurisdiction for effective implementation.” AKM said the directive was “necessitated due to the failure of the State Government in addressing the demands by the 5 Tribes committee on Review of Reservation Policy.”
The Ao Senden, in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, said it and “all Civil Societies under our banner will not participate in any Government functions until the issue in contention is fulfilled by the Government.”
The Lotha Hoho, in a circular dated August 13 from Wokha, directed “all the Lotha organizations, students and individuals to abstain from all government programs and functions with immediate effect, indefinitely, till further direction” and specifically from “Independence Day 2025 functions on the 15th August 2025, in any form, including cultural presentation etc within Wokha District and throughout Nagaland.” It said the existing Job Reservation Policy “has been in vogue for the last 48 (forty eight) years and the ‘so called advanced tribes’ have been unfairly deprived of the opportunities in government jobs” and urged Lotha youth and students to spearhead a “peaceful show of resentment.”
The Angami Public Organization (APO) instructed all its constituent units and frontal organisations “to create awareness and monitor that the general public do not participate in any government functions and celebrations.” The Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO), in compliance, told all citizens within its jurisdiction “to strictly adhere to this resolution” and “show your full support by abstaining from all government-related events.”
The Angami Students’ Union (ASU), in a circular, directed all students under its jurisdiction “to abstain from participating in any Government organized function, or related activity, including the upcoming Independence Day on 15th August 2025,” in strict compliance with the Angami Public Organization’s directive and the August 9 joint resolution. The ASU said the directive was “binding” and reflected a united stand “to uphold the resolution, protect our collective rights and assert the democratic will of our people,” while calling upon students to remain “steadfast, disciplined and resolute in this common cause.”
From Tseminyu, the Rengma Hoho directed all affiliated organisations — RSU, RSZ, RMA, RGBA, RVCCF, RPOK, RPOD, RPOC, Seven Ranges — to ensure their units, villages, and educational institutions “abstain from participating in the upcoming Independence Day celebration until further notice,” opposing the inclusion of CSOs in the Reservation Review Commission “against the wishes of our 5 Tribes CoRRP.”
The Sümi Hoho instructed all Sümi leaders and public “to refrain from attending or participating in the said functions” and directed its frontal organisations to take measures for effective implementation “while avoiding confrontation at all levels.” The Western Sümi Hoho, covering Niuland, Dimapur, and Chümoukedima, issued a matching directive, calling for “peaceful and orderly non-participation” and warning against “any action or situation that could lead to confrontation.”
The coordinated boycott, rooted in the August 9 joint resolution at Hotel Ura in Kohima, now spans eight districts and involves apex tribal bodies, frontal organisations, students, youth, and civil society groups, signalling a high-profile escalation in the ongoing standoff over Nagaland’s reservation policy.
