Dimapur, September 15 (MExN): The Tobu Area Students’ Union (TASU), a subordinate body under the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), has extended full support to the representation submitted by the Konyak Students’ Union to the State Government on June 13, 2025, seeking a review and reform of the State Job Reservation Policy in proportion to population ratio for equitable justice.
In a press release issued on September 15, TASU reiterated that “reservation is a constitutional right and not a mere privilege,” and stated that it “stands firmly with KSU’s call for a thorough revision of Nagaland’s Job Reservation Policy.” It pointed out that the existing arrangement has severely underrepresented the Konyak community, which comprises more than 12.65% of the state’s tribal population. TASU noted that the disparity between demographic reality and the present reservation structure has led to longstanding inequalities, widespread unemployment, and socio-economic backwardness among the Naga people.
TASU highlighted that Mon District continues to remain the most underdeveloped in Nagaland, “ranking lowest in literacy, human development index, per capita income, healthcare access, and basic infrastructure.” According to the release, “this situation reflects years of systematic neglect despite repeated appeals,” and the prevailing reservation framework “has failed to address these hardships, thereby intensifying the problems of educated unemployment and growing unrest among the youth.”
The Union further observed that despite being the highest in population, the Konyaks “remain the lowest in terms of representation in government employment.” It stated that this has created “a serious obstacle for accessing financial assistance” since banks routinely demand government employee guarantors for even small business loans. “Most Konyak applicants are unable to provide such guarantors due to the acute underrepresentation of the community in state services. As a result, Konyak youths are systematically excluded from opportunities to establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and marginalization,” the release said.
In alignment with KSU, TASU demanded “an immediate review and reform of the existing State Backward Tribe Job Reservation Policy to correct the long-standing imbalance” and the “implementation of a population-proportionate reservation system that ensures fair representation, justice, and equity for all.”
TASU also urged the State Government “to exhibit strong political commitment by initiating urgent reforms without waiting for the release of the 2021 Census data.” It warned that “any further delay will only compound the frustrations of the people and pose serious risks to peace and progress in Nagaland.”
