Five Tribes Committee Declines Nagaland Governor’s Swearing-in Invite

IN NEWS – Five Tribes Committee Declines Nagaland Governor’s Swearing-in Invite

Five major tribal organisations in Nagaland — Angami Public Organization, Ao Senden, Lotha Hoho, Rengma Hoho, and Sumi Hoho — have decided to boycott the swearing-in ceremony of the new Governor.
The boycott stems from their discontent with the composition of the proposed Reservation Review Commission, which they believe fails to uphold tribal autonomy and fairness.
The core demand of these tribes is the complete exclusion of community-based organisations from the commission.
The State government’s clarification, suggesting participation of qualified nominees from community bodies instead of office bearers, has been rejected by the five-tribe committee as it “misses the core demand.”
The committee has accused the government of ignoring their legitimate concerns and termed its stance an “insult to the collective intelligence of the five tribes.”
Since their August 9 resolution, these tribes have abstained from all government functions and meetings, maintaining a stance of non-cooperation until their demands are addressed.
The standoff highlights deep-rooted concerns over representation, inclusion, and autonomy among Nagaland’s tribal bodies regarding reservation policy formulation.

Nagaland became the 16th State of India on 1 December 1963, with Kohima as its capital.
The State is home to 16 officially recognized major tribes, each having distinct social structures and customary laws.
Tribal bodies like Hoho and Senden play significant socio-political roles in preserving identity, culture, and negotiating with the State government.
Reservation in Nagaland aims to balance representation among diverse tribes, but intra-tribal differences often emerge regarding perceived advantages and fairness.

Updated – 24 Aug 2025 ; 12:58 PM | India Today NE