Ao Senden gives NSCN (IM) leaders 15 days to retract remarks on Jamir

DIMAPUR — The fallout over recent remarks against SC Jamir is snowballing, with the Ao Senden stepping in and giving NSCN (IM) leaders VS Atem and Rh. Raising 15 days to retract their comments.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the apex body of the Ao community condemned comments made by Atem, Deputy Ato Kilonser of NSCN (IM), and Raising, a member of the group’s steering committee. Both leaders had questioned Jamir’s authority to speak on the Naga political issue.

Atem had said on September 16 that Jamir was “not mandated and authorised” to speak on the matter. Raising, meanwhile, claimed that the former chief minister was “not an advocate of the Naga people” and had no right to speak on their behalf.

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The Ao Senden termed the remarks disparaging and asked both leaders to retract them “in the interest of the Nagas” within 15 days. It warned that failure to do so would prompt the organisation to “take our own course of action”.

Political issue belongs to all Nagas

The Ao Senden reaffirmed that the vision of sovereignty remained the “sole aim and legitimate aspiration” of the Naga people, adding that it stood firmly by that position.

While acknowledging that differences and divisions had marked the Naga political journey, the organisation asserted that the political issue was not the sole domain of any individual, group or faction.

“Any Naga citizen, who has a grasp of the Naga political scenario, can comment and contribute his views to move forward the stagnated political process,” it stated.