The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has constituted an 11-member delegation to meet key executive officials of the Ao Senden, days after the apex Ao body condemned remarks made by two senior NSCN-IM leaders against former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir.
An order issued by the Office of the Chairman, NSCN-IM, on September 28 stated that the delegation was constituted in view of the “expression of discontent” by the Ao Senden in the print media following the NSCN-IM September 16 media statement.
The order said the move was being undertaken in the interest of promoting “Naga unity, mutual respect and peaceful resolution” and directed the delegation to establish immediate contact with Ao Senden officials to schedule a formal meeting at the earliest.
Mozamo Ngulie, EMSC-cum-Convener of the Steering Committee, has been named head of the delegation, while Kraibo Chawang, MCL-cum-Convener of the Political Affairs Committee, is the co-head.
The delegation also includes MCLs Yanger Pongen and Meyang Phom as senior council members, along with Kilonser representatives Arep Jamir, Aotoshi Lemtur and Jongpongsashi. Capt (Retd) Newto Chish, Kilonser-cum-Justice, Naga Council, and Deputy Kilonser Maj Gen Lanuangshi Ajem are also members. Moa, identified as GSO, Naga Army, has been included as a representative, while Mahai Raikhan, Secretary of the Steering Committee Secretariat, will serve as member secretary.
The development follows the Ao Senden’s September 23 statement condemning remarks attributed to VS Atem, Deputy Ato Kilonser of the NSCN-IM, and RH Raising, a member of its Steering Committee, in the September 16 statement.
The Ao Senden had said Atem questioned Dr SC Jamir’s mandate and authority to speak on the Naga political issue, while Raising stated that Jamir was not an advocate of the Naga people and had no right to speak on the issue.
Condemning the remarks, the Ao Senden maintained that differences of opinion among Nagas did not make the Naga political issue the sole domain of any individual, group or faction. It said any Naga citizen with an understanding of the political situation could offer views and contribute to taking the political process forward.
The Senden had demanded that Atem and Raising retract their statements within 15 days and warned that it would otherwise “take our own course of action.”
The NSCN-IM order does not state that the delegation is tasked with securing a retraction, but calls for engagement with Ao Senden officials in the stated interest of unity, mutual respect and peaceful resolution.