DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 25 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has once again censured its prime detractor SC Jamir, former Chief Minister Nagaland by stating that the Goa Governor has till today, “never let an opportunity pass by without throwing a spanner in the wheels of solution to the long drawn Indo-Naga conflict”. Significantly, the Steering Committee, the highest policy making body of the NSCN (IM) today issued a statement through its Convenor Qhevihe Chishi Swu and Secretary Rh. Raising pointing out that it was the likes of Jamir “baptized and utterly immersed into Indian philosophy and politics in 1960” who had been “stumbling blocks” to the Naga national resistance.
While pointing out that the 16-point agreement was not a negotiated settlement and that people were not involved at all indicating that it was just a sort of MoU between two groups or parties, the NSCN (IM) stated that being a signatory, Jamir attempted to glorify it through the Bedrock of Naga Society that “attainment of Nagaland statehood had fulfilled the aspirations of the Nagas” and that “Statehood is reality, sovereignty of the Nagas is a myth”.
“Apart from further division of the Naga family, what aspiration has been fulfilled? How can Jamir reduce the sovereign rights of the Nagas to a myth just to please his Indian masters”, the NSCN (IM) questioned adding that there was no greater crime than undermining the rights of the people. “As such, there is no reason as to why SC Jamir, Goa Governor and Alemtemshi Jamir, Commissioner, the authors of Bedrock of Naga Society should not be ostracized from the Naga society”, the Steering Committee stated.
The NSCN (IM) in its condemnation of Jamir likewise referred to the letter written by the latter (when he was Parliament Secretary, MEA, New Delhi) to P. Shilu Ao, the Chief Executive Councilor of Nagaland and pointed out that the said letter was a clear testimony of Jamir’s total opposition to the proposed discussion between Indian PM Nehru and AZ Phizo to find a permanent solution.
The NSCN (IM) quoted Jamir from the letter: “If he starts negotiating with Phizo, I am prepared to come back because there is no use sitting here to be only laughing stock. I believe that we are also quite capable to create more trouble than the Hostiles could do”. The NSCN (IM) stated that true to his words, Jamir “successfully created terrible troubles in Nagalim” and that for Jamir, the Naga national revolutionary patriots are ‘hostiles’.
In this regard, the Steering Committee went on to add that the RAW masterminded successful 1978 military coup, “staged by Lt Col. Supong guided by Mayanger was fully supported by Jamir” in which “hundreds of revolutionary patriots died”. Further, the 1988 Khaplang’s coup attempt that “killed hundreds of revolutionary patriots including women and children was his handiwork”, the NSCN (IM) alleged while adding that the Naga Youth Liberation Front formed in the early 90s to crush the NSCN (IM), was financed by SC Jamir and armed by Khaplang. “Having foiled of his plans, he successively formed the 9th Brigade and then 24th Brigade for similar purposes”, it stated while also alleging that Jamir’s peace offensive in 1996 “came with 37 coffins of innocent civilians from a single community”.
The NSCN (IM) also alleged that Jamir’s divisive mindset and attitude is echoed in his write-ups and speeches and quoted Jamir’s speech on the occasion of Nagaland’s 35th Statehood day in 1999: “It is high time the Nagas separated the chaff from the grain…militants (NSCN) from outside the State (Nagaland) are not Nagas. They have not made any contribution to the Naga political struggle over the past five decades…the Naga political problem could be resolved through democratic means only by the Nagas of Nagaland”. The NSCN (IM) pointed out that “indoctrinated by this philosophy”, Jamir’s “brainchild Khaplang and his boys reverberate the same today”.
The NSCN (IM) statement also disclosed that during the tenure of Atal Behari Vajpayee as PM, Jamir went to New Delhi and persuaded the GoI to impose President Rule, deploy more army and grant more money to crush the NSCN (IM) and the Naga national movement. It alleged that Jamir “strongly recommended against further extension of ceasefire and also to derail the peace process as the NSCN (IM) was getting strengthened on account of it”. According to the NSCN (IM), Jamir was flatly refused and told to support it himself. On reaching home, he organized a press conference and said that for the peace of the Nagas, he had spoken to New Delhi for extension of CF and that it will be done. “He is such a person who can comfortably tell lies straight on the face without remorse”.
The NSCN (IM) further stated that it was for all to recollect that during the ceasefire period when Jamir was the CM, he had “fully activated the Indian army and the paramilitary forces to arrest, raid, snatch arms, kill and let loose reign of terror”. “But with the change of guard, Naga people are enjoying semblance of peace though it is the same CF Ground rules. Judge for yourself whether SC Jamir is constructive or destructive”, the NSCN (IM) stated.
It was also disclosed that in 2004 during the North East Congress Coordination meeting, Jamir strongly urged the members that: “it is a grave mistake on the part of the government to have unconditional talks with the NSCN. They must be conditioned to accept Indian constitution. But if they refuse, NSCN should be declared as terrorist organization and befittingly dealt with”. The NSCN (IM) pointed out that when the government of India recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas, where was Jamir and his accomplices.
