Kohima, July 25: In what may be seen as the third step to achieve integration of the Naga-inhabited areas, the Naga Hoho last week resolved that Nagaland revert to its “pre-1972 status” in order to make Nagas from outside the state eligible for job reservation.
Till 1972, the state was under the external affairs ministry and enabled job reservation for Nagas from outside the state before the then chief minister Hokishe Sema brought the state under the Union home ministry.
“The resolution was mainly for the job reservation of Nagas residing outside the so-called Nagaland state,” said a Hoho leader. If it reverts to that status, the tribal body will not only go a step towards integrating the Nagas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with Nagaland but also achieve a degree of emotional integration without disturbing the sensitivities of other states.
Under the previous arrangement though, sources said, the job reservation of 20 per cent was not meant solely for Nagas from other states but for any citizen residing in any other Indian state. It was a unique arrangement in the sense that citizens of other states’ could get a job in Nagaland. Now, however, the Hohos have demanded job reservation only for Nagas from other states.
Before this move, two other moves were made by the Nagas in Manipur. The United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur, has demanded the affiliation of all Naga-dominated private schools to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE).
Chief minister Neiphiu Rio has already given his assent to the UNC’s proposal, and urged the Centre to take appropriate steps to enable the affiliation to the NBSE.
In a second move, the UNC has asked the Naga villages in the four districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel to pay the annual house tax to the Nagaland government and not to the one in Manipur.
Source: The Telegraph
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