The Central Nagaland Tribes Council notes with deep regret the recent public remarks made by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) V.S. Atem, Deputy Ato Kilonser and Member of the Collective Leadership of the NSCN (I-M), and Rh Raising, Special Emissary to the Collective Leadership of the NSCN (I-M), concerning former Chief Minister of Nagaland and senior statesman Dr. S.C. Jamir.
While differing perspectives and robust debate are natural and even healthy in any political discourse, the CNTC is constrained to observe that certain observations directed at Dr. Jamir have gone beyond the bounds of constructive engagement. Questioning the standing or right of a senior Naga leader of long public service to express his views on matters of common concern risks introducing an unhelpful and divisive element into an already complex situation.
The Naga political journey is a shared inheritance of the Naga people as a whole. Dr. S.C. Jamir, as a living participant in the modern history of the Nagas and a respected elder, retains every right, as a Naga, to offer his considered reflections on the political future of our people. Attempts to measure or diminish the legitimacy of any Naga’s contribution on the basis of perceived alignment serve only to deepen mistrust at a time when unity and mutual respect are most needed.
Naga customary values have long placed a premium on respect for elders and on dialogue grounded in reason and historical understanding. Political differences, however strongly held, ought not to override these foundational principles of dignity and civility.
The people of Nagaland continue to yearn for a lasting, honourable and inclusive resolution to the long-pending political issue. In this spirit, the CNTC earnestly appeals to all Naga political groups, civil society organisations and public figures to exercise restraint, uphold mutual respect, and prioritise the building of consensus over the airing of personal differences. Only through such an approach can we hope to move collectively towards the peace and political settlement that our people so deeply desire.
(The views expressed are those of the writer and not of the newspaper)
