The Five Tribes Committee on Review of Reservation Policy (CoRRP), representing five major Naga tribes, has rejected the Nagaland government's newly formed Job Reservation Commission (JRC), demanding a complete overhaul of the state's reservation policy. The CoRRP's stance reflects deep-seated concerns about the composition and impartiality of the commission, as well as the long-standing issues with the current reservation system, which they deem outdated and inequitable.

The Nagaland cabinet, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, approved the creation of the seven-member JRC to review the state's 48-year-old job reservation policy. The commission is to be headed by a retired senior IAS officer from the Nagaland cadre. It will include members from the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO), the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), and the Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN), along with three government officials. These officials will be the administrative heads of the Political and Administrative Reforms Department, the Home Department, and the Law and Justice Department. The government has requested these tribal bodies to nominate qualified individuals to represent their communities on the commission. The JRC has been given six months to complete its review, with a possible extension if needed. Once the commission submits its report, it will be reviewed by the Cabinet.

However, the CoRRP has strongly criticized the formation of the JRC, calling it a "repetition" of earlier measures that have failed to address their core demands. The CoRRP argues that the inclusion of civil society organizations (CSOs) like the ENPO, CNTC, and TUN introduces bias and undermines the commission's legitimacy. They insist that this composition reflects a partisan approach and fails to genuinely address the concerns raised by the five tribes. The CoRRP is demanding an impartial and expert-led commission to conduct a thorough review of the reservation policy.

The current reservation system in Nagaland, implemented in 1977, initially reserved 25% of non-technical, non-gazetted posts for seven backward tribes for a period of 10 years. Over time, this has been expanded to 37%, with 25% reserved for Eastern Nagaland tribes and 12% for other backward tribes. The CoRRP argues that the socio-economic and educational landscape of Nagaland has changed significantly since 1977, rendering the existing reservation model outdated and inequitable. They are advocating for a fresh, data-driven reassessment to ensure fairness and representation across all communities. According to Minister KG Kenye, five tribes who are currently protesting the reservation policy hold 64% of government jobs, while the ten backward tribes hold about 34%, which suggests an imbalance when compared to population ratios. The government maintains that it remains neutral and receptive to the views of all sections.

The CoRRP has announced plans to convene a joint meeting with the apex tribal bodies of the five communities to decide on the next course of action, potentially signaling renewed agitation. The situation underscores a growing divide between the state government and influential tribal organizations, with concerns that the existing policy no longer reflects the realities on the ground or ensures equitable opportunities in state employment. The CoRRP's rejection of the JRC highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive and impartial review of Nagaland's job reservation policy to address the concerns of all stakeholders and ensure a fair and equitable system for all communities in the state.