Nagaland: Govt. asked to treat all backwards tribes with same yardstick

Dimapur, Dec. 21 (EMN): Student unions of four tribes that fall under the ‘backward’ category have suggested the Nagaland government to either initiate a total review of the backward tribe reservation policy or maintain status quo ‘if it is not in a position’ to do so.

The student bodies of Chakhesang, Pochury, Sumis of Kiphire and Zeliangrong Nagaland issued a joint statement on Monday underscoring their stance on the government’s reservation policy.

While acknowledging the state government for reserving a set percentage of opportunities in government sectors to bring underprivileged tribes at par with other tribes, they stated that the former has failed to rationalise and provide proportionate reservation.

“We feel that it is pertinent for the state government to review the backward tribe reservation policy periodically to address anomalies and discrepancies with the change of time,” the statement read.

The unions stated that they were not opposed to any just and reasonable decision of the state government to uplift the condition of the underprivileged tribes.

However, they stated, the four unions would never accept any piecemeal solution made by the government ‘by succumbing to pressure without considering the overall ground realities of other tribes’.

“All the backward tribes should be treated with the same yardstick irrespective of their locations and regions. Therefore, we request the state government to thoroughly review the existing policy. However if the government is not in position to totally review the existing policy, it will be best to maintain the present reservation system in all the three tiers of governmental exams,” the statement read.