CoRRP warns of intensified stir if demands go unmet
Staff Reporters/Correspondents
Undeterred by inclement weather, thousands of people from five tribes—Ao, Angami, Lotha, Rengma and Sumi—turned out in large numbers on Thursday to participate in a coordinated peace rally organised under the banner of the Five Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) across eight districts of Nagaland.
The rallies, held simultaneously at district headquarters of Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Tseminyu, Zunheboto, Chümoukedima, and Niuland, marked the launch of the first phase of CoRRP’s agitation, aimed at pressing the State government to comprehensively review the Nagaland State Reservation Policy.
CoRRP is spearheaded by five major tribal apex bodies—Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho, and Sumi Hoho—who have repeatedly stated that the current reservation policy, in effect for nearly five decades, was outdated and no longer aligned with the evolving social, educational, and economic dynamics of the state.
Rally goers across the eight districts held placards that read “Equal Representation, Equal Opportunities, Equality for All”, “BT Reservation has become the Sole Privilege of Creamy Layers”, “BT Backlog Reservation has become a Bottleneck in the System”, “We Stand Against Reservation within Reservation”, “BT Reservation with Double Benefits & Flexible Options has Destroyed Merit”, “BT Backlog Reservation without Minimum Cut-Off Mark is a Mockery of the System”, “Reform, Don’t Just Retain. Review the Reservation Policy Now”, etc.
Dimapur: In Dimapur, the rally was held at DC Court Junction where several hundred people gathered braving the rain. After the brief programme, a memorandum was read out, and followed by mass procession to DC office where the memorandum was handed over to DC Dimapur Dr Tinojogshi Chang
Delivering keynote address, 5 Tribes CoRRP member secretary Capt GK Zhimomi articulated deep-rooted concern against the 48-year-old reservation policy in Nagaland. He acknowledged the public support and said it reflected “shared determination” to highlight their long-standing grievances to the state government and policymakers.
Zhimomi explained that the rally was organised to protest against the indefinite continuation of a reservation policy implemented since 1977. “What began as a 25% reservation has now increased to 41%, and despite seven review committees being formed over the years, not once were non-backward tribes invited to share their perspectives. These reviews have only served to benefit the already privileged, ignoring the voices of others,” he stated.
He stated that an ultimatum was submitted on April 26, 2025, but the state government remained unresponsive. Zhimomi said while protest preparations were underway, a government letter dated May 25 stated that a review committee had been formed on May 7, requesting the agitation be called off.
“If the letter was signed on May 25, why wasn’t it handed over that day? Why the delay?” he asked, describing it a tactic to derail the movement.
Delivering short speech, Chakhro Angami Kuda Union president Rovisielie Nakhro termed the day as “historic”, as five tribes came together in unity. “We are not here against anyone, but we are here to demand justice,” he clarified.
In his speech, Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) president Imna Temsu expressed gratitude to tribal leaders, elders, and parents for highlighting the long-ignored issue. He also affirmed that both ASUD and Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) would continue to stand with the committee until the state government met their demands.
Dimapur Lotha Hoho (DLH) chairman Thungchanthung Murry expressed full solidarity with the movement, stating that 48 years was not a joke. He also assured that DLH would stand by the committee until the goal was achieved.
Rengma Public Organisation Dimapur president Alo Kent declared unconditional support for the cause. He said CoRRP represents five Naga tribes, adding they would provide steadfast support.
Delivering a short speech, Dimapur Sumi Council vice-president Hokuto Zhimo extended the council’s cooperation. “If the government fails to address this issue, we will continue to fight,” he asserted.
Echoing similar sentiments, East Dimapur Sumi Council chairman Vihoto Achumi noted that it had been almost half-a-century since the reservation policy was introduced, and many who benefited had even retired, yet five tribes were still left out. Earlier, the programme was chaired by 5 tribes CoRRP member Zuchumo Mozhui.
Kohima: As part of the protest called by the 5 Tribes CoRRP, the Angami Public Organisation organised a protest at Old MLA junction where hundreds of people marched through the rain from Phoolbari to the DC office to submit a memorandum addressed to the chief secretary.
Delivering the keynote address, APO vice president Vikehielie Victor clarified that the protest was not directed against any particular tribe or community. “We are only fighting for our rights,” he stressed.
Speaking to reporters after the rally, Victor reiterated the committee’s call for immediate and full review of the reservation policy.
The memorandum submitted during the rally reiterated the five tribes’ long-standing demands, including either the abolishment of the current policy for backward tribes or exclusive allocation of the remaining unreserved quota to the five tribes. It also warned of intensifying agitation in various forms if the government failed to act.
The protest began with a short public meeting chaired by Angami Students’ Union (ASU) president Diezevisie Nakhro, and included a prayer led by Francis P. Kiewhuo, catechist of SFS Church, Kohima Town.
APO secretary for information & publicity KT Vile read out the memorandum.
Chümoukedima: In Chümoukedima, the public protest rally was organised by the Chakhroma Public Organisation (CPO) and Western Sumi Hoho (WSH), with support from the Chümoukedima Ao Senso Telonjem (CAST), Chümoukedima Lotha Hoho (CLH) and Rengma Public Organisation Chümoukedima (RPOC).
The protest started from North Town Higher Secondary School junction to DC complex.
After the protest rally, a short programme was held at the DC complex that was chaired by CPO president and 5 Tribes CoRRP member Zhato Kimho, with invocation by Rev Khisenlo Apon from Rengma Baptist Church, Chümoukedima.
A memorandum was submitted through the DC Chümoukedima Polan John to the state government.
Delivering a solidarity speech, CAST president Dr Moa Walling said five tribes in Nagaland were placed in one category while other tribes in another on February 11, 1977.
He argued that if the other tribes had not produced doctors or engineers through education despite continuing to receive reservation benefits for the past 48 years, there was something fundamentally wrong with the policy.
CLH chairman Nchumthung Ngullie termed the reservation policy as “outdated, one-sided and no longer fair.” He insisted that no policy should be one-sided, and consider the needs of all communities. Ngullie argued that the foundation of reservation should be based on the current ground reality.
RPOC president, Peter Magh said though the reservation policy was passed in 1977 for a period of 10 years, it was yet to be reviewed. Hence, he pointed out that the committee had been demanding its review.
WSH representative Mughaho K Zhimomi demanded reviewing the reservation policy that had caused “imbalance” in the society.
5 Tribes CoRRP member Limakakum Jamir said the five tribes had remained silent all this time thinking of the well-being of other tribes, but now they would no longer remain quiet.
He declared that if no decision was made on the demands of the five tribes despite many meetings, then the protest would continue for years.
Niuland: In Niuland, the rally was organised by Western Sümi Hoho (WSH), where more than a thousand people, including students, youth, and parents, gathered at Clock Tower. After a brief programme, the procession moved toward the DC office, where a memorandum was submitted as part of the unified state-wide protest.
Addressing media after the submission, WSH general secretary Vikato Shikhu said the Nagaland Job Reservation Act was implemented in 1977 to bring equal status to all, but it had not been reviewed even once in the past 48 years despite the provision for a 10 year periodic review.
Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) president Ikato Khulu also voiced deep dissatisfaction with the existing policy, terming it a “mockery system” that failed to serve its original purpose of uplifting the economically downtrodden.
Western Sümi Kükami Hoho (WSKH) president Khehovi Chophy affirmed full support to the resolutions of the 5 Tribes CoRRP.
Earlier, a short programme was held at the Clock Tower, which was chaired by WSSU president Ikato Khulu and invocation offered by associate pastor of SBAN, Kiyevi Zhimomi.
A plenary speech was delivered by WSH general secretary Vikato Shikhu, and memorandum read out by WSKH president Khehovi Chophi.
Mokokchung: The public protest rally in Mokokchung, which was organised by Ao Senden, saw several speakers including AKM president, Ao LanurTelongjem convener, Watsu Mungdang president and Ao Senden president. All the speakers stressed on the need for review of the job reservation policy in Nagaland.
Ao Senden president Marsanen Imsong said the rally was organised to express objection to the “so called Nagaland State Job Reservation Policy”.
Ao Senden president said that the protest rally was not against any particular tribe but against the system. After the rally, the rallyists marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office to submit an ‘Ultimatum Reminder’ to be further submitted to the chief secretary.
The ultimatum was signed by Ao Senden president Marsanen Imsong and general secretary Imtipokyim.
WOKHA: Lotha civil society organizations (CSOs) including Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) and Lotha Youth Hoho (LYH) under the aegis of the Lotha Hoho (LH) organized a peaceful protest rally at the Wokha district headquarters.
Rally participants in traditional attire carrying placards voiced discontent with 48-year-old reservation system. The organizers claimed that the system has failed to ensure equitable opportunities for all tribes in the state.
Speaking the rally, LSU president Lirhonthung E. Kithan criticized the government’s prolonged inaction on revising the policy. He also highlighted about the ongoing protest initiated by five tribes.
LYH president Limhathung N. Yanthan cited disparities within the system. He said that while backward tribes were allowed to compete in exams with a Class 12 qualification, others were required to hold graduate degrees. LYH president called for either the scrapping of the existing policy or reservation of the remaining unreserved quota exclusively for five tribes.
LH joint secretary Chumbemo T. Ngullie clarified that the protest was not directed against any specific tribe but was a demand for policy reform.
After the rally, the protesters marched to the office of the Deputy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum addressed to the state government. LH chairman Er. Mhondamo Ovung briefed DC Wokha Vineet Kumar on the concerns of the community while LSU president officially handed over the document. The memorandum was read out by LYH president Yanthan in the presence of the demonstrators.
Rallies were also held in Tseminyu and Zunheboto district headquarters, where they submitted rallyists marched to DC’s office in respective districts and submitted an ultimatum reminder to the state government through deputy commissioner.