Founders wanted Nagaland to be part of India — SC Jamir

Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 18: Former Chief Minister SC Jamir on Friday maintained that the dream of the founding leaders of Nagaland was for the state to remain in the Indian union.

“I am one of the founders of Nagaland and the Naga leaders of the past had a dream for Nagaland, that the state should be part and parcel of Indian union,” he said while speaking at the annual day event of St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School in Dimapur.

According to him, India is on the verge of becoming one of the most powerful countries. “We are fortunate to belong to a country of importance. It is a great opportunity for young people as you can participate in the making of the country.”

Jamir said that because of statehood, there has been development in Nagaland. However, he said, the state is ‘facing demonic elements’ who have suppressed and oppressed the people.

“A panoramic view of the entire gamut of Naga society will clearly reveal the kind of travail we are in. The entire system appears to be in doldrums. Government is virtually in disarray because of excessive interference from various anti-social and anti-national elements.

“The state is now like a seriously wounded man groaning with severe pains. The people of Nagaland are compelled to live in a sick society,” he said. To salvage from this ‘dreadful predicament’, he said, Naga people cannot look at other beyond the state for help.

The veteran politician cited the example of Dimapur, and how it has changed over the years. It was regarded as a ‘mini-India’ in the past and acclaimed as the most prosperous and peaceful commercial hub of the Northeast region, where all commodities were available at the cheapest price and where people belonging to all strata of society could live comfortably, in peace and harmony, he said.

Unfortunately, Jamir said, due to many negative factors and the inability of the authorities to control it, the ‘idyllic environment’ of Dimapur has gone missing today.

Jamir said he was confident that the “dark cloud in the political firmament of the state will be evaporated soon”.

“It is a universal truth that peace is pre-requisite for all round development in a state or a country. For decades, Naga people have not seen real peace in their native land and as a result all economic activities have been adversely affected,” he asserted.