UKHRUL, September 15: The Naga National Council/Federal Government of Nagaland (NNC/FGN) in a rejoinder issued on Tuesday has strongly criticised former Nagaland chief minister Dr. S.C. Jamir over his recent call for an early settlement to the Naga issue, questioning his political record and role in the history of the Naga movement.
The rejoinder issued by Zhopra Vero, Kedahge, NNC/FGN said it did not doubt Jamir’s stated desire for an early solution but questioned what it described as his “reasons and approaches”. It alleged that his intervention could be an attempt to revive his political standing or undermine the Naga people’s aspiration to live as a free and united people.
The NNC/FGN further accused Jamir of having historically aligned himself with Indian state interests, alleging that his political rise was linked to serving the Indian state and that he had opposed efforts to pursue a peaceful and democratic dialogue on the Naga issue.
The statement also referred to a purported letter Jamir wrote in 1963 to then Nagaland chief minister P. Shilu Ao regarding a possible meeting between Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Naga leader A.Z. Phizo. The NNC/FGN quoted the letter as referring to Phizo as a “terrorist” and questioned what it described as a contradiction between Jamir’s past position and his present engagement with the Naga issue.
On the proliferation of Naga political groups, the NNC/FGN said Jamir was correct in pointing to the existence of numerous groups but questioned whether he could deny having played a role in divisions among the Naga people and freedom fighters.
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The organisation also blamed the Naga Peoples Convention (NPC) for sowing what it called the “first seed of political division” in Naga society. It alleged that the NPC was formed under the supervision of Indian intelligence agencies to undermine the 1951 Naga Plebiscite, which it said recorded 99.9 per cent support for Naga sovereignty.
The NNC/FGN further criticised the 16 Point Agreement, saying it resulted in the creation of Nagaland state and the division of the Naga homeland. It attributed continuing divisions, including tribalism and regionalism, to the agreement.
The statement also questioned Jamir’s remarks concerning the celebration of Durga Puja among Naga Christians in Nagaland and accused him of portraying Naga Christianity inaccurately.
Despite its criticism, the NNC/FGN said Jamir was “more than welcome” to seek a solution to the Indo-Naga conflict if he genuinely regarded himself as a Naga and Christian, but urged him to pursue it in a manner it described as “true, just and honorable”.
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