Nagaland: Dr SC Jamir dubs Sept 12 resolution bereft of political reality & dangerous

Veteran Naga politician, former governor, chief minister, and recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2020, Dr. S.C. Jamir, has described the resolution passed on September 12 at a consultative meeting organized by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of Nagaland with elected representatives, MPs, political parties, tribal bodies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and students, as “bereft of political reality and dangerous.”

In a statement, Dr. Jamir pointed out that despite two decades of political negotiations between the Government of India and Naga underground organizations, the people of Nagaland were never consulted on the critical issues being discussed. He maintained that convening of the September 12 meeting, lacked a clear agenda.

He questioned whether the resolutions adopted at the meeting, signed by the Chief Minister and others, were aligned with the two key political agreements signed in 2015 and 2017.

Reflecting on the history of the Naga political struggle, Jamir highlighted the sacrifices and hardships endured by the Naga people. He noted that the 1960s saw a new generation of leaders take up the cause, but the movement was slow to adapt to changing socio-political conditions, thereby limiting its relevance in the current context.

Jamir said the government of India signed the Framework Agreement with NSCN(I-M) on August 3,20154 and the Agreed Position, signed with WC,NNPGs on November 17, 2017 and both do not address full sovereignty or integration which , marked a significant shift in Naga politics.

In light of these developments, Jamir urged the Government of India to finalize the peace process by ensuring the swift implementation of both agreements. He stressed the importance of tribal organizations pressing the government and Naga underground groups to act without delay, allowing the people of Nagaland to move past the current “nightmarish situation” and live in peace like any other citizen of India. Jamir also dismissed the call for appointing a new interlocutor of union minister rank, describing it as unnecessary. He emphasized that what Nagaland needed was immediate action to secure a lasting peace, not further delays or discussions.