Five Nagaland Tribes Boycott Governor’s Swearing-In Ceremony

Quick Summary

• Five prominent tribal apex bodies in Nagaland-Angami Public Organisation, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho, and Sumi Hoho-declined an invitation to attend the gubernatorial swearing-in ceremony in Kohima.
• Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla is set to take additional charge as Nagaland Governor on August 25, 2025.
• The tribes’ decision stems from their protest resolution dated August 9 over dissatisfaction with the reservation policy favoring 10 so-called “backward” Naga tribes.
• The Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP) representing these five tribes criticized a recent State Cabinet decision to establish a seven-member Job Reservation Commission led by a retired IAS officer from the Nagaland cadre.
• CoRRP opposed including representatives from eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, Central Nagaland Tribes Council, and Tenyimi Union Nagaland on the commission due to perceived bias toward quota beneficiaries.
• In a joint statement by CoRRP convenor Tesinlo Semy and member secretary G.K. Zhimomi, the groups pledged non-participation in all State goverment events unless concerns about job reservation policy and commission composition are addressed.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The refusal of key tribal apex bodies in Nagaland to attend significant state functions highlights deep divisions surrounding job reservation policies. While affirmative action aims to empower historically disadvantaged groups, dissenters view current measures as inequitable. The controversy underscores persistent challenges in achieving consensus within diverse social hierarchies.

By opposing both reservation benefits for certain tribes and depiction on oversight committees reviewing those reservations, these advanced tribes’ grievances could complicate broader efforts at inclusivity. A balanced approach must address both ancient disadvantages of “backward” communities and growing discontent among other groups without destabilizing societal harmony. Failure to resolve such disputes risks escalating intertribal tensions that could hinder governance processes across Northeastern states.

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