Former Nagaland chief minister Dr SC Jamir. (Morung file Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 6
Two senior NSCN (IM) leaders on October 6 retracted their September 16, 2026 comments on former Nagaland chief minister Dr SC Jamir, saying they never meant to hurt the sentiments of the Ao Senden.
In a joint declaration, Lieut Gen VS Atem, VC, AEM (Retd), Deputy Ato Kilonser NSCN (IM) and Rh Raising, NC Special Emissary to Collective Leadership, NSCN/GPRN said, “If our comments on September 16, 2026 on Dr SC Jamir have hurt the sentiment of the Ao Senden, it was never meant to do so and therefore, we do retract it forthright.”
The retraction comes within the 15-day deadline set by the apex Ao body, which had warned of its “own course of action” if the remarks were not withdrawn.
The controversy dates back to September 10, when Jamir, 95, the last surviving signatory of the 16-Point Agreement, met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Delhi and spoke on the Naga political issue afterwards.
On September 16, after a consultation between the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the NSCN (IM) at Chümoukedima, Atem said Jamir was neither “mandated” nor “authorised” to speak on the issue. Raising said Jamir was “not an advocate of the Naga people” and had no right to talk on the matter.
On September 18, NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon said Jamir was “an old man in a hurry”.
On September 23, the Ao Senden, led by President Marsanen Imsong and General Secretary Imtipokyim, condemned the remarks as “disparaging”. It said any Naga with an understanding of the political situation can comment on the issue. It gave the two leaders 15 days to retract, while reaffirming sovereignty as the “sole aim and legitimate aspiration” of the Nagas.
On October 6, the NSCN (IM) leaders issued the retraction.
