The Naga National Council/Federal Government of Nagaland (NNC/FGN) has issued a rejoinder to former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir over his recent statement seeking an early settlement to the Naga issue.
In the rejoinder, NNC/FGN Kedahge Zhopra Vero said that while the organisation did not doubt Jamir’s desire for an early solution, “his reasons and approaches may be far from trustworthy.”
The statement questioned whether Jamir’s latest intervention was “his last ditch attempt to salvage his fast-fading political image” or an attempt “to surrender the rights of the Nagas to live as free people once again.”
It said Jamir was free to express his thoughts and meet anyone of his choice, but maintained that “if his views negate or undermine the aspiration and values of the Naga people, they must be examined critically by all the right-thinking Nagas.”
The NNC/FGN further alleged that Jamir had been responsible for “much division, violence and bloodshed in the history of the Nagas.”
According to the statement, modern Naga history and identity have been shaped largely by the desire of the Naga people “to live as free and one people.” It alleged that Jamir was known in Naga history for conspiring with adversaries “to obliterate this desire of the Naga people.”
The organisation alleged that Jamir had projected himself as a pro-Indian who championed the interests of the Indian state and that his rise to political leadership was not through advancing the Naga cause but by “pleasing and serving the Indian state through an oath in the name of God.”
The NNC/FGN also alleged that during his early political career Jamir was opposed to seeking a solution to the Naga freedom struggle through peaceful and democratic dialogue.
Referring to a purported letter dated March 22, 1963, addressed by Jamir to then Chief Minister P. Shilu Ao, the statement quoted Jamir as writing: “Uncle Shilu, what is that the Prime Minister is talking about of meeting Phizo, a terrorist? If his meeting with Phizo becomes a reality then I will come back home packing my bedding.”
The NNC/FGN said the letter raised questions about Jamir’s political position, asking, “What more evidence do we need to expose his true political color?” It added, “Yesterday, Phizo was labeled by him as terrorist. Today, the Naga political groups are extortionists to him.”
On Jamir’s observation that there are numerous Naga political groups today, the NNC/FGN said this was “an undeniable fact,” but questioned whether he could sincerely deny having had any role in dividing the Naga people, particularly the freedom fighters.
The statement further alleged that the Naga Peoples Convention (NPC) was “responsible for sowing the first seed of political division in Naga society.” It claimed that the NPC was formed and convened under the supervision of an Indian intelligence agency to challenge the Naga Plebiscite of 1951.
The NNC/FGN alleged that the Naga aspiration had been “hijacked through ignoble means” through the signing of the 16-Point Agreement, which it said sought to “trade off the rights of the Naga people.”
It further stated that the creation of Nagaland state resulted in the division of the Naga homeland and alleged that “much division and distrust, including tribalism and regionalism,” existed within Naga society because of the agreement.
The organisation also criticised Jamir over his recent remarks concerning the celebration of Durga Puja in Nagaland, stating that, as an Indian politician, making Nagaland “part and parcel of the Indian family” appeared to be an achievement for him.
The statement questioned Jamir’s apparent importance attached to recognition of such achievements by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and accused him of “misleading and inaccurate representation of the Naga Christianity.”
The NNC/FGN said Jamir was “more than welcome to seek a solution for the Indo-Naga conflict if he truly sees himself as a Naga and Christian,” but added that it expected him to do so “in a way that is true, just and honorable.”
Reiterating its criticism of Jamir’s historical political role, the organisation said that he had previously been found “colliding with the Indian agencies to undo the mandate of the Naga people” and again referred to the NPC as an effort to challenge and replace the 1951 Naga Plebiscite.
The statement concluded by questioning Jamir’s renewed interest in the Naga issue, asking, “When was the last time he truly represented the rights of the Naga people?” and “What is he up to again now, perhaps, forgetting his advancing age, that he has suddenly taken interest in the Naga issue?”
The rejoinder was dated September 15, 2026, and signed by Zhopra Vero, Kedahge, NNC/FGN.