My attention was drawn to a public statement made by NPF secretary general and MLA Achumbemo Kikon. The young man in ‘desperation’ is working on behalf of certain masters. He has been tutored to discredit the undersigned S C Jamir. So be it. There is a decline in political standards and it is for all to see.
All these cannot be part of Naga culture – at least not within the framework or within the state of Nagaland as we know. Honourable MLA should be conscious of the language he uses either in the House or outside.
Where does his masters stay – in Kohima, Manipur or Hebron? Nagas of Nagaland can easily guess. Nevertheless, the moot point here is while meeting the RSS Chief Shri Mohan Bhagwat on 10th September 2026 I have stated that
“To face the challenges of the time, there should be total, overhauling of the entire system of governance in Nagaland. This could be possible only when the state is brought under President’s Rule for a spell of one or two years.
I am not saying something of a rocket science. All the state legislators including ‘man in desperation’ – the first timer legislator and his chief minister of Nagaland have proclaimed to the people of Nagaland and before the Prime Minister and leaders of all political parties in the country that as and when ‘Political settlement’ is made they would vacate their seats to pave the way for new political arrangement. My point has been the Govt of India should avail this opportunity and help restore the normal health of the Government of Nagaland under President’s Rule.I had in fact just stated the explicit expressions of the ‘Nagaland Legislators’ and various civil society organisations which should be read by everybody as a positive step towards the early solution of the Naga political problem. I have been in public life. I have not seen arrogant political protagonists (one-time self style goondas and killers) who would decide which Naga individual is ‘authorized’ or not. That Mr Kikon speaks like a college thug makes it absolutely clear who are his mentors and what kind of political learning he has been getting from his masters in Hebron, Manipur or Kohima. Or he has masters in all three places ?
I wonder how a spokesperson of ruling Party instead of ‘clarifying’ the Party’s stand, blindly resorted to personal attack on someone who is elder to him by age and also incidentally much senior to him in public life.Top of that Kikon has behaved as an ill-informed students who hardly knows A,B,C about the letter written to P Shilu Ao upholding the sanctity of the Constitutional position which even Government of Indiacan not ignore. It was the explicit expression of an elected representative of the people. Kikon and his masters especially in Hebron and Manipur must note it that the creation of the state of Nagaland was through a political Agreement between the representatives of the NPC and the Prime Minister of India in 1960. Interim Body headed by P Shilu Ao took the rein of administration of the state of Nagaland in 1961. I, S C Jamir was elected by the Interim Body to represent Nagaland in the Lok Sabha. Whether young or old, I was the representative of the people of Nagaland in the Indian Parliament especially in the early sixties. It was my solemn duty to ensure that Nagaland State enjoys the same status with other states of the country. As people’s representative one must be upright in his commitment and conviction to which one believes to be right according to his judgement. I was exactly doing the same.
One day, Mrs Renu Barkakoti, MP from Assam, raised one question.
“Will the Prime Minister be prepared to meet AZ Phizo who is in exile in England ?” Nehru’s response was a clear “yes”.
I was sitting behind the Prime Minister, as his Parliamentary Secretary.
I was present on the occasion and from my position behind the Prime Minister’s behind his back , I just said that the “reply of Prime Minister’s answer was “not correct’. This was flashed in all Newspapers stating the Obvious — that Nehru’s Parliamentary Secretary opposed him. All senior Congress leaders scolded me but I told them that my stand is ‘correct’ — because it is logical and has merits.I actually made a big political statement in my sincerity.My stance was “that Prime Minister Nehru cannot bypass the elected Government of the state in such an important pollical issue.
When he came back to Delhi from Bombay (Mumbai), Deputy Minister Dinesh Singh came to me while I was in Central hall taking a brief coffee break. The Prime Minister had asked me to come to his office.I was slightly apprehensive.But he simply asked me Jamir have I committed anything wrong in “MY STATEMENT”? “Yes, Sir you (Nehru) should have said that I am prepared to meet Phizo in consultation with P Shilu Ao, the Chief Executive Councillor. He then gave a ring to the Speaker Hukam Singh and made correction by saying that he was prepared to meet A.Z.Phizo in “consultation” with P Shilu Ao, the Chief Executive Councillor. Later in this connection I wrote to P.Shilu Ao that I would be prepared to (or compelled to resign) if state is ignored. As an MP, I did not like to sit as a stooge. Those days Nehru was worshipped like demi God but a youthful Naga of 31 years old could have the guts to tell even Nehru what was wrong should rather be appreciated.Again, why should Kikon name of Hokishe Sema ? He had fully supported me. Furthermore, in a matter like state affairs the Ruling Party should not stoop too low while making statement. It is brought to the knowledge of all concerned even including Achumbemo Kikon that I S.C.Jamir with the authorization of the Prime Minister, personal met A.Z.Phizo from 3rd to 5thAugust 1963 in the Brombley kent.
Correspondences between A.Z. Phizo and S.C. Jamir are available.
1957 should be remembered as the momentous year as on the basis of the resolution of passed in the first NPC , for the first time Nagas of Naga Hills of Assam and Nagas of Tuensang Frontier division unanimously resolve to have a separate Naga Home known as the Naga hills-Tuensang Area and later it was christened as Nagaland. Where was the ‘southern NAGAS’ ? Why hesitation ? These questions ought to be answered by those who say ” S C Jamir does not have authority”. Life has given me enough; but one would like to forget and forgive even as some players try to make me feel hurt too.
At this age – I may still expect people younger to me by age in Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung or even Ukhrul and Tuensang show me some dignity. You disagree with me. I am democrat enough to sit and argue with you.
Do not be a Minister of Silence or an advisor of false propaganda.
(The views expressed are those of the writer and not of the newspaper)