Former Chief Minister and Governor SC Jamir has sharply criticized the recent resolution adopted during a consultative meeting in Kohima, labeling it as “bereft of political reality and dangerous.”
In a public statement shared with the media, Jamir highlighted the ongoing political discourse between the Government of India and Naga underground organizations, noting that “neither the underground nor the state government have thought of consulting the people of Nagaland on the political issues that were being discussed.” He lamented that despite more than two decades of negotiations, the resolution process lacked genuine public consultation.
Jamir expressed concern over the sudden convening of the consultative meeting, which included tribal bodies and civil societies “without any set agendas”. He remarked that the resolutions adopted and signed by the Chief Minister and others need to be examined critically in the context of existing political agreements.
Reflecting on the historical struggle of the Naga people, Jamir said, “History is a living witness to the decades of stormy and perilous Naga political voyage,” pointing out the significant struggles and sacrifices made for their cause.
“The sixties saw a new generation holding the reins of Naga political movement with a vow to carry on the movement in the footsteps of the older generation. However, time is changing and new socio political imperatives are emerging, although Naga movement tries to remain relevant deliberately ignoring the contemporary realities,” said Jamir.
He outlined the major political agreements reached, including the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015, between the NSCN(IM) and the Government of India, and the Agreed Position signed on November 17, 2017, with the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs). Jamir noted that “the question of complete sovereignty and Integration do not figure in the said agreements,” marking a character change of Naga polity.
“Hence this achievement can be treated as the watershed in the tumultuous and boisterous Naga political odyssey,” added Jamir.
In light of these developments, Jamir urged the Government of India to finalize the agreements and for the elected government of Nagaland, along with tribal organizations, to push for the implementation of the signed agreements. He stressed that the people of Nagaland need to be “rescued from the present nightmarish situation” and called the notion of appointing a new interlocutor “ridiculous.”
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