DIMAPUR, MAY 16 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today said that the “never ending Naga political problem lies in the 16 Point Agreement,” and questioned the Government of India for seeking the guidance of former Governor and Chief Minister, Dr SC Jamir, the last living architect of the agreement.
“The 16 Point Agreement which was rejected and condemned by the Naga people years ago can never be brought back as the basis for the Naga political solution,” it affirmed.
A press release from the MIP of the NSCN (IM) said the “Nagas have suffered much because of the depths of cruelty and treachery in the hands of SC Jamir.” It further expressed concern that “tragically, the Government of India (GoI) is turning to this same destructive person seeking his guidance.”
The NSCN (IM) said that “nothing is more annoying” that “when the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), GoI, is hobnobbing with SC Jamir.”
It accused the former CM of “scheming with the centre to destroy the very foundation of the Naga political identity that the Naga people have shed blood, sweat and tears over the decades.” The NSCN (IM) said that Jamir has a “penchant for creating bloodshed as testified by the pages of the Indo-Naga history. Naturally, the peace process under ceasefire is something anathema to him.”
It said that when the 16 Point Agreement was signed and the state of Nagaland was created, the first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru “sensed something missing” and made a statement in the Lok Sabha to express his desire to meet AZ Phizo in London.
The NSCN (IM) claimed that “there was immediate panic reaction from SC Jamir,” the then Parliamentary Secretary, MHA, GoI and wrote to Shilu Ao, the first Nagaland State Chief Minister, dated March 22, 1963, stating that he would come back home. It further stated that Jamir had said he was “capable of more troubles than the hostiles could do.”
“Ultimately, Shilu Ao and colleagues in Nagaland fell in line with Jamir’s threatening letter as they rose against the proposal of Nehru’s meeting with Phizo. What followed was that peace could not prevail in Nagaland and many precious lives were lost,” the NSCN (IM) said.
It pointed out that the former CM is “still repeating the same thing he loved most, to defend the 16 Point Agreement.” The NSCN (IM) questioned why the Government of India is “not willing to learn from history and why is the GoI giving space to Jamir to block a genuine, honorable and lasting solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.”
