Tribes under CoRRP to abstain from Independence Day celebrations

DIMAPUR — The 5 Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP), following a unanimous resolution adopted on August 9, has issued a set of instructions for indefinite non-participation in all state government functions, including the upcoming Independence Day celebrations.

According to the directive, the decision to abstain from all such functions will remain in force until the state government provides a satisfactory response to the issues raised by the committee.

The demands include revisiting the composition of the Reservation Review Commission and revoking the inclusion of members from civil society organisations, ensuring that the tenure of the commission is not extended beyond six months, and suspending the Backward Tribe Reservation Policy if the government insists on linking the outcome of the commission with the completion of the census.

In a circular issued on Tuesday, the CoRRP stated that non-participation will take the form of abstaining from all meetings and functions organised by the state government on any issue or occasion. The apex bodies of the five tribes— Angami, Ao, Lotha, Rengma, Sumi— have been directed to ensure that their frontal organisations and subunits across Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, Tseminyu, Zunheboto, Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland strictly comply with the resolution.

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For the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, the instructions specified that the public should voluntarily abstain from attending the functions, that no cultural troupes should participate, and that student bodies should ensure schools and colleges do not compel students to participate in events held outside their institutional premises.

The CoRRP further urged all concerned to ensure peaceful non-participation and to avoid any confrontation at all levels.

Following the August 9 resolution, several tribal organisations have issued separate statements reaffirming their support for the joint decision.

On August 10, the Rengma Hoho informed all community-based organisations across the eight districts to abstain from government events, including the Independence Day celebrations. The body reiterated that the decision was taken to protest the state government’s inaction on core demands, and the inclusion of CSOs in the RRC against the wishes of the CoRRP.

It also directed all affiliated frontal organisations, constituent units, and subordinate bodies, including student and youth organisations, to ensure that members and educational institutions within their jurisdictions refrain from participating in the celebrations until further notice.

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On Tuesday, the Ao Senden wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, informing him that, in line with the unanimous decision and the CoRRP’s general instructions, the Ao Senden and all civil societies under its banner would not take part in any government functions until the matter is resolved.

The Sumi Hoho also issued a circular the same day, asking all Sumi leaders and the public residing in Sumi-inhabited areas to refrain from attending or participating in any government events, including the Independence Day celebrations.

It called on all Sumi frontal organisations to take necessary steps for effective implementation of the resolution, while emphasising the need for peaceful non-participation.