Jagdamba Mall
The situation in Nagaland in the mid-nineties was very volatile and violent. The mindless killing, kidnapping, robbery and extortion had threatened the peace, prosperity and communal harmony of the people in Nagaland and also in neighboring states. The Merapani incident of 1985 added salt to injuries. During Merapani uprising scores of innocent people were killed and the disturbance continued for several months. It was during those days I first met Shri S.C. Jamir then Chief Minister of Nagaland at his official residence when I led a delegation of Central Government Employees as General Secretary of All Nagaland Central Government Employees Coordination Committee Nagaland. The delegation included Manoj Biswas and Ranjit Paul from Accountant General’s Office, D.C. Rout and Gulabi Singh from Telephone Exchange, H.K. Endo and Neisakulie Angami from Census Operation and few more from different Central Govt. Offices stationed at Kohima. The office bearers of the said coordination committee submitted a memorandum to Shri S.C. Jamir – the Chief Minister of Nagaland, with a request to provide security in the premises of Central Government Offices and in residential area as well. Because Central Govt. employees were targeted and were more vulnerable. Three of employees of AG Office were lifted during office hours from office premises and taken to unknown destination which led to a weeklong strike in the office. I was then Secretary of Audit and Accounts Association, Nagaland.
The delegation discussed the security problem in detail with Shri Jamir who gave a very patient hearing to us. We returned with a sigh of relief because of assurances offered by him. Though we were not fully satisfied with what were done by the State Government it provided much succour to Central Government employees during those turbulent days. The day and night CRPF patrolling started in residential areas where Central Govt. employees lived and CRPF security guards were posted in most of the major Central govt. offices stationed at Kohima and Dimapur. Chief Secretary K.S. Puri and DGP Nagaland came to AG Office and addressed General Body meting of AG’s employees assuring possible security arrangements.
The second time I met Shri S.C. Jamir was in 2004 at his Chumukedima farmhouse. I took a team of office bearers of Hindu Mandir Society Kohima and met him to invite grace Shree Shree Ram Katha Utsav in State Academy Hall, Kohima. Shri Jamir thoroughly inquired about the identity of each member of the team. He asked about the activities of Hindu Mandir Society, Kohima and then had a very free and frank discussion with us while sipping a cup of tea. He then said that he would let us know about his decision within two three days. Though we were much pleased on his hospitality and befitting reception and response we had doubt that he would accept our invitation. Only after two days I received a telephonic call on his behalf conveying that he had consented to grace Shree Shree Ram Katha Utsav and that he had asked for details of the programme. We were jubilant on Shri Jamir’s acceptance of our invitation. Hindu Mandir Society had ventured to invite Shri Shyamal Dutta, then Governor of Nagaland and all the four former Chief Ministers viz. Shri J.B. Jasokie, Shri S.C. Jamir, Dr. Hokishe Sema and Shri Vizol alongwith many former and sitting political leaders and public leaders from Naga society. Shri J.B. Jasokie could not attend the function on health grounds. All the three former Chief Ministers - Dr. Hokishe Sema, Dr. S.C. Jamir and Shri Vizol shared the same sofa-set alongwith the Governor Shri Shyamal Dutta. The veteran social worker and a noted educationist Shri Manik Bhattacharjee and Shri N.C. Zeliang also were happy to share the VIP row in State Academy Hall. Swami Yatindrananda Saraswati – the Sanyasin from Roorkie, U.P honoured the Governor and all the three former Chief Ministers with Kashmiri Shawal and Shrifal (coconut) and blessed them with Veda Mantras. Shri Manik Battacharjee and N.C. Zeliang were also honoured for their selfless social service to the society. This function was of great significance for bringing Nagas and Hindus closer to each other. The venue of utsav was jam-packed with almost one third of audience from Naga society. The venture was appreciated. The idea was to enthuse mutual trust in every section of human society. This could be achieved to a certain extent. All these could happen because of encouraging response we received from Dr. S.C. Jamir. The speech he delivered in the function was another encouragement towards bridging the gap between Nagas and non-Nagas. Some fanatics later criticized Shri Jamir in the media for attending this Hindu religious function. They questioned Jamir’s propriety of his Christian faith. But he preferred to remain quiet.
Except on these two occasions I had no other opportunity either to meet Shri Jamir or interact with him. But as a keen observer of the developments in Nagas society – political and non-political both, I have been reading the views expressed by Dr. S.C. Jamir in the media including his most talked of booklet - Bedrock of Naga Society. I have also been reading the views expressed by Governors and top ranking political leaders, underground leaders, student leaders, Church leaders and leaders of other social organizations. As a resident of the capital city–Kohima, I have been watching the various political activities and cultural functions for last thirty-two years from 1975 onwards. What strikes most to my mind is the lack of vision, the lack of ability to peep into near and a future and their crave for carnal pleasure in most of the Naga leaders - over ground and underground both. When I say Naga leaders it includes Church leaders also who are supposed to be spiritual in approach and pious in behavior. Before and after the publication of Bedrock of Naga Society, the top ranking Naga leaders – political and non-political both admitted in private the facts narrated in that booklet. The armed section of Naga society blamed Shri Jamir of putting sovereignty movement into reverse gear. Now, if the opinions/proposals are analysed objectively and subjectively put-forth by several Naga leaders at different point of time right from Shri V. Sakhrie – the first NNC General Secretary, R. Suisa, Dr. Imkongliba, signatories of Shillong Accord 1975, Dr. Hokishe Sema, J.B. Jasokie, Shri Vizol till day’s Naga leaders, it will be seen that Dr. S.C. Jamir is not alone in his view point about vexed Naga problem. The silent majorities from Naga society have similar views. The only difference is that Jamir speaks out while others not.
The national and international scenario have been changed to the advantage of our country. The countries like USA, UK and China – once sworn enemies of Bharatvarsh have drastically changed their perception and approach towards Bharatvarsh. They have become partners in economic deals and international commerce and trade. They have shared defence deals and entered into agreements to contain cross – border terrorism.
At home, Nagas stand fragmented not only today but from the beginning. One many not admit but I have been noticing from last thirty-two years. They are killing each other. It is not only Dr. S.C. Jamir whose head is wanted by whom (?), not by any non-Naga but by a section of armed Nagas, but the heads of all the top-ranking Naga leaders – over ground and underground both without even a single exception, are wanted by rival armed factions. Who is safe here in today’s Nagaland? Can any top-ranking underground Naga leader claim that he is safe in Nagaland whose sovereignty, they claim, they are fighting for? No. They can’t claim because situation is such. It reminds me the phrase-hate begets hate. Because of assassination of dozens of giant geniuses from Naga society by their own people, the Naga community stands today starved of intellectual class who can match geniuses at national and international fora. In fact, people in other parts of the country are bemused to witness the mad killings here in Nagaland.
Dr. S.C. Jamir has been attacked almost half a dozen time the recent being at Changki village on 23rd November. God knows what will happen to him tomorrow. But frankly speaking, I admire him not for any other reason but for his wisdom, his all-embracive behaviour and his contribution to Naga society and the country risking his own life. Not that those who are manning the high ranks in underground organizations are not wise. In my opinion, they also possess high degree of wisdom. But their wisdom is not being used for the welfare of the society because they are working opposite to each other. As of today, there is no hope even in distant future that all these Naga intellectuals will come closer to each other. In the present crisis in Naga society, if Dr. S.C. Jamir is assassinated, it will be a great loss not only to Naga society alone but the nation as a whole and for that matter, to whole of the humanity. It will not be possible to fill up the void so created in Naga society for long.
The great leaders are born not always but at a given point of time with God-assigned duties to perform for the good of human society. I would, therefore, like to avail this opportunity and appeal not to kill the rivals but to settle their differences through meaningful dialogues. Let the forthcoming Christmas festival deliver a dawn of peace, prosperity and harmony in Naga society. I am a Central Govt. employee and I am fully aware of provisions of CCS (Conduct) Rules which do not permit to write such article but I am unable to withhold the idea which I am nursing in my mind about Naga society. That is why this small write-up. But let me make it clear that this is neither to glorify anybody nor to downgrade somebody. This is my personal opinion which I am sharing with the society.
