Tobu Area Students’ Union backs review of job reservation policy

DIMAPUR — The Tobu Area Students’ Union (TASU), a subordinate body under the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), has expressed its full support to the representation submitted by the KSU to the state government on June 13, 2025, pertaining to the review and reform of the state job reservation policy in proportion to population ratio for equitable justice.

In a press release, the union reaffirmed that reservation is a constitutional entitlement and expressed solidarity with the KSU's call for a thorough revision of Nagaland's job reservation policy.

“The existing arrangement has severely underrepresented the Konyak community, notwithstanding the fact that the Konyaks comprise one of the largest tribal groups in Nagaland, accounting for more than 12.65% of the state’s tribal population.

“The disparity between the demographic reality and the present reservation structure has led to longstanding inequalities, widespread unemployment, and socio-economic backwardness among the Naga people,” the TASU stated.

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The union pointed out that Mon district is widely recognised as the most underdeveloped in Nagaland, with the lowest rankings in literacy, human development index, per capita income, healthcare access, and basic infrastructure.

It also maintained that this situation is a result of years of systematic neglect despite repeated appeals. Additionally, it noted that the existing reservation framework has failed to alleviate the hardships, thereby exacerbating the issues of educated unemployment and growing unrest among the youth.

“Adding to this crisis, the Konyaks despite being the highest in population remain the lowest in terms of representation in government employment. This has further created a serious obstacle for accessing financial assistance.

“Banks routinely demand government employee guarantors for even small business loans, yet most Konyak applicants are unable to provide such guarantors due to the acute underrepresentation of the community in state services.

“As a result, Konyak youths are systematically excluded from opportunities to establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and marginalisation,” the union added.

The TASU demanded immediate review and reform of the existing state backward tribe job reservation policy to correct the long-standing imbalance, and implementation of a population-proportionate reservation system that ensures fair representation, justice, and equity for all.

Furthermore, the union urged the state government to exhibit strong political commitment by initiating urgent reforms without waiting for the release of the 2021 Census data.

Any further delay will only compound the frustrations of the people and pose serious risks to peace and progress in Nagaland, it stated.