Five Nagaland tribes decline invitation to Governor’s swearing-in

GUWAHATI

The apex bodies of five Nagaland tribes have declined an invitation to attend the gubernatorial swearing-in ceremony in the State’s capital, Kohima.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla is scheduled to take additional charge of Nagaland on Monday (August 25, 2025).

The Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho, and Sumi Hoho stated on Sunday that their representatives would not attend the Governor’s oath-taking ceremony because of their protest resolution from August 9.

The apex bodies of these five tribes, considered advanced, have been demanding a review of the reservation policy, which they claim is loaded in favour of 10 “backward” Naga tribes.

The Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) of the five tribes also slammed a State Cabinet decision to constitute a seven-member Job Reservation Commission to be headed by a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Nagaland cadre.

The CoRRP was against the composition of the committee that included a member each from the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council, and the Tenyimi Union Nagaland. These organisations, it claimed, represented tribes benefiting from the existing job quota policy.

“We regret our inability to attend the swearing-in ceremony, as the State government continues to ignore our legitimate demands despite repeated reminders,” a statement from CoRRP convenor Tesinlo Semy and member secretary G.K. Zhimomi said. The committee said it would maintain its policy of non-participation in all State government functions until “further orders” and unless its fundamental concerns about the Job Reservation Commission’s composition are addressed.