Dimapur, September 15 (MExN): The NNC/FGN has criticised former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir over his recent remarks on the Naga political issue. A rejoinder issued by Zhopra Vero, Kedahge of NNC/FGN, said it does not doubt Jamir’s desire for an early solution but described his “reasons and approaches” as “far from trustworthy.”
“One is made to wonder if this is his last ditch attempt to salvage his fast-fading political image or to try to surrender the rights of the Nagas to live as free people once again,” it said.
The NNC/FGN said that while Jamir, like anyone else, is free to express his thoughts and meet anyone of his choice, “if his views negate or undermine the aspiration and values of the Naga people, they must be examined critically by all the right-thinking Nagas.”
This was “all the more imperative in his case since he is responsible for much division, violence and bloodshed in the history of the Nagas,” it added.
It also alleged that Jamir’s “loyalty to the Naga people is certainly doubtful” and accused him of having “conspired with the adversaries to obliterate” the desire of the Naga people to live as “free and one people.”
Referring to his early political career, the NNC/FGN alleged that Jamir was “averse to the idea of seeking solution to the Naga freedom struggle through peaceful and democratic dialogue” and “went so far as to even sabotage a possible meeting between Nehru and Phizo to find a peaceful solution.”
Quoting a letter purportedly written by Jamir on March 22, 1963, the statement said, “Uncle Shilu, what is that the Prime Minister is talking about of meeting Phizo, a terrorist? If his meeting with Phizo becomes a reality then I will come back home packing my bedding.”
The NNC/FGN said, “What more evidence do we need to expose his true political color? Yesterday, Phizo was labeled by him as terrorist. Today, the Naga political groups are extortionists to him.” While acknowledging Jamir’s point that there are numerous Naga political groups today, it asked whether he could “sincerely deny that he absolutely has no hand in dividing our people, especially our freedom fighters?”
It alleged that the Naga Peoples Convention (NPC) was “responsible for sowing the first seed of political division in Naga society” and was “formed and convened under the supervision of Indian Intelligence Agency to undo the voluntary Naga Plebiscite of 1951 where 99.9% voted in favour of Naga Sovereignty.”
“What has been sought through Naga sweat and blood was hijacked through ignoble means, through the betrayal signing of the 16th Point Agreement that sought to trade off the rights of the Naga people,” it said, adding that Nagaland state was born and the Naga homeland got divided.
The NNC/FGN said much division and distrust, including tribalism and regionalism, exist within the Naga family today because of this “divisive agreement” with the Indian state. “Even if he has forgotten all this, history will not,” it said.
In regard to Jamir’s remarks on Durga Puja being celebrated by Naga Christians in Nagaland, the NNC/FGN said one is “made to wonder if he is still trying to impress his Indian masters through misleading and inaccurate representation of the Naga Christianity.”
“Dr Jamir is more than welcome to seek a solution for the Indo-Naga conflict if he truly sees himself as a Naga and Christian. All we ask is that he does it in a way that is true, just and honorable,” it said.
Further, it alleged that in the past, Jamir “thrived, just like the vultures, in his political career amidst the violence and bloodshed in the Naga homeland.”
“When was the last time he truly represented the rights of the Naga people? What is he up to again now, perhaps, forgetting his advancing age, that he has suddenly taken interest in the Naga issue?” the NNC/FGN asked.
