DIMAPUR, MAY 19 (MExN): Former Odhisa Governor, Dr SC Jamir said he was willing to play a ‘secondary and advisory role’ on the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks between the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups.
Jamir, who is the only surviving signatories of the 16- point Agreement which led to the birth of the present State of Nagaland in 1963 as the 16th State of the Indian Union, was responding to a question posed by a student of Nagaland University, Lumami on whether he would be participating in the ongoing Naga political talks.
A press release issued by the Nagaland University Students Union said the scholars of the NU-Lumami had organized an interaction with the five times chief minister of Nagaland on May 17 on the topic, “Naga political issues and his personal achievements.” A string of significant questions was put up by the scholars during the interaction. On the question of whether Nagas would every attain sovereignty, Jamir responded that at the present juncture, there was no expectation of getting one while pointing out that “Asking and getting sovereignty is different.” While it cannot be foretold about what will happen in the next 20-30 years, Jamir maintained that sovereignty for Nagas at present was not possible.
Jamir also said he regretted not being able to attain sovereignty for the Nagas during his lengthy years of service in different capacities. On the issue of discrimination faced by the northeasterners in the mainland, Jamir said he and fellow Nagas also faced the same in the Assembly during their time.
“We were called Chinese,” he recalled. “But it depends on how we live with the people there and also how we react to those situations,” Jamir added. The interaction concluded with Nagaland University Students Union president, K. Chumseli Anar proposing the vote of thanks.
