Kohima: After nearly five decades, five of Nagaland’s major tribes—Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, and Sumi—have united in protest, demanding a long-overdue review of the state’s job reservation policy.
On Thursday, coordinated protest rallies erupted across parts of Nagaland, with thousands taking to the streets to voice their strong opposition to the state’s reservation policy. Demonstrations were held in several districts, including Kohima, Dimapur, Zunheboto, Mokokchung, Wokha, Chümoukedima, Niuland, and Tseminyu.
The Kohima rally, spearheaded by the Angami Public Organisation (APO), saw hundreds marching to the office of the Deputy Commissioner from Phoolbari, braving the rain to submit a memorandum addressed to the Chief Secretary.
The protests stem from the Nagaland government’s continued silence on repeated appeals by the five tribes for a comprehensive review of the reservation policy, which has remained unchanged since 1977.
Root of the Discontent
The core issue lies in the reservation policy for “backward tribes” introduced by a government notification dated 11 January 1977. The Nagaland Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms had stated that 25% of vacancies in non-technical and non-gazetted posts would be reserved for seven tribes identified as “educationally and economically very backward.”
These tribes—Konyak, Chakhesang, Sangtam, Phom, Khemungan, Chang, and Yimchunger—were said to have “insignificant representation” in state services. The reservation, introduced under Article 16(4) of the Indian Constitution, was to remain in effect for a period of 10 years.
The same order, issued by then Chief Secretary H. Zopianga, extended similar provisions within the 80% quota already reserved for Scheduled Tribes under a 1973 order, also for a period of 10 years.
Not Against Any Tribe: APO
Vikehielie Victor, Vice President of APO, stated that the protest is not directed against any particular tribe or community.
“The 1977 government order stated that the reservation policy would be reviewed after 10 years, but this was never done,” Victor told reporters in Kohima.
The five tribes—often referred to locally as “advanced tribes”—collectively account for an estimated 55% of Nagaland’s Scheduled Tribe population.
On 20 September 2024, the 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy, the core body representing the protesting tribes, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. They argued that the reservation policy has been in force for nearly five decades and that the “backward tribes” have since significantly benefitted, even surpassing the “advanced tribes” in several sectors.
They contended that while the policy was supposed to be reviewed every ten years, the only follow-up was a 1989 government notification stating the “existing policy will continue until further orders”—a directive that remains in force. Recommendations by various state government committees set up to review the policy have reportedly been ignored or implemented only partially.
The 2024 memorandum raised concerns about the duration of the reservation, internal reservation, “creamy layer” among backward tribes, entry age discrepancies, backlog reserved posts, and the discrimination caused by multiple and flexible benefits extended to the same groups.
The five tribes asserted that the indefinite continuation of the reservation system without review is leading to economic imbalance and social unrest among Scheduled Tribes in the state. They urged either the complete abolition of the reservation policy for backward tribes or the allocation of the remaining unreserved quota exclusively to the five tribes.
Ultimatum and Escalation
On 26 April 2025, the committee submitted a 30-day ultimatum to the state government, reiterating their demand and warning that failure to act would result in intensified protests. With no response received, the rallies were launched in various districts inhabited by the five tribes.
“The prevailing job reservation policy took effect in 1977 with a caveat for review every 10 years. However, it was not reviewed in 1987 as per the order, and in 1989 the government issued a directive that the policy would continue until further orders. Therefore, it is high time that the state government review the policy,” Victor said in his keynote address at Phoolbari, Kohima.
Following the Thursday rallies, a fresh memorandum was submitted to the Chief Secretary through the Deputy Commissioner. In it, the five tribes reiterated their demand for a total review of the policy and the elimination of tribe-wise backlog reservations to encourage meritocracy.
“We want the government to review the matter in all seriousness. We are not against any tribe or community. We are only fighting for our rights,” Victor said.
The memorandum also warned that the tribes would intensify their agitation in various forms if their grievances, as detailed in the 2024 memorandum, are not addressed.
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