•-This letter is in response to the recent job reservation to the three tribes i.e. Chakhesang, Zeliang, Pochury and also the Sumis of Kiphire and Tuensang districts. So much has been written about the reservation policy after 25% reservation was given to the eastern Nagas and after the Chakhesangs filed a PIL against it putting the fate of Naga youth’s future in jeopardy. And instead of reviewing the entire reservation policy, the present Govt. have created another controversy regarding this matter again. Now, to create equality among the different Naga backward tribes or please some, the reservation of Chakhesangs and Zeliangs have been enhanced to 4%, besides the inclusion of Sumis of Kiphire and Tuensang districts but whereas the Pochuris have been slashed to a meager 2% citing population basis. Whether this is fair or not is for the Nagas to judge. If the reservation of the Pochuris is based on population, is the same yard stick applied to the other Naga tribes ?What about the Phoms, Yimchungri, Changs or the Kiamiangans because they are also Naga tribes with almost same population like the Pochuries. And also, I feel that if Sumis of the two mentioned districts are to be given reservation then they should be also included in the 25% reservation of the eastern Nagas because they are also no less eastern Nagas than the other eastern Nagas to be fair enough. I don’t mean to oppose or hurt the feelings or sentiments of any of my Naga brother or tribe by my write up. But, If other Nagas are getting their due share then even the Pochuris deserve to get their due fair share.
It is not a proud thing to call one’s self or tribe as backward but we cannot neglect the reality. How many govt. employed Pochuris you come across in any office you go is for our other Naga brothers to judge! Eighty percent of the Pochury population are still living the life of which other Nagas lived 50 years back. Now the policy of reservation is to give chance to those backward tribes to come to par with other advanced tribe in due course of time. Now, with the meager 2%, the Pochuris are never given a chance to advance! Its like giving a baby’s share to a baby while the grown-ups get the bigger chunk. Pochuris are very tolerant people and the present govt should not take our silence as a weakness and take us for a ride! We are also no lesser Nagas and we should get our due share, nothing less nor more. If our big brother, the Chakhesangs (where only a small pocket of less then 20% of the population are backward) are given 4% reservation than we Pochuris (where 80% of the population are backward) should get the same or even more. And a word of caution, if we are not given the same share at par with our other backward brethrens, we are not going to be mute spectator but we are going to fight tooth and nail for our due right and share and we won’t be responsible in case of any untoward repercussion.
S. Pochury , Senior citizen, Kohima
It is not a proud thing to call one’s self or tribe as backward but we cannot neglect the reality. How many govt. employed Pochuris you come across in any office you go is for our other Naga brothers to judge! Eighty percent of the Pochury population are still living the life of which other Nagas lived 50 years back. Now the policy of reservation is to give chance to those backward tribes to come to par with other advanced tribe in due course of time. Now, with the meager 2%, the Pochuris are never given a chance to advance! Its like giving a baby’s share to a baby while the grown-ups get the bigger chunk. Pochuris are very tolerant people and the present govt should not take our silence as a weakness and take us for a ride! We are also no lesser Nagas and we should get our due share, nothing less nor more. If our big brother, the Chakhesangs (where only a small pocket of less then 20% of the population are backward) are given 4% reservation than we Pochuris (where 80% of the population are backward) should get the same or even more. And a word of caution, if we are not given the same share at par with our other backward brethrens, we are not going to be mute spectator but we are going to fight tooth and nail for our due right and share and we won’t be responsible in case of any untoward repercussion.
S. Pochury , Senior citizen, Kohima
