Time’s up for SC Jamir on Naga political issue, says NSCN (IM)

Dimapur, May 20 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) has once again come down heavily on veteran politician SC Jamir, the only surviving member of the Naga People’s Convention that signed the 16-Point Agreement, saying: “Time’s up for Jamir on Naga issue”.

Stressing on the importance of adopting a correct approach to solve the Naga political issue, the group said in statement that “wrong approach will bring no solution”.

The NSCN (IM) accused Jamir of putting “himself in the centre of the show in the past and desperately attempting to place himself in the same role” which was rejected by the people after he “messed up the Naga issue by bringing the 16-Point Agreement without consulting the stakeholders (Naga national workers)”.

It went on to say that Jamir “should not keep meddling in Naga issue as if it is his personal fiefdom”.

It said the government of India should avoid hobnobbing with a person who no longer represents the voice of the Naga people if it is interested in solving the intricate Naga political issue. “This also goes against the essence of Indo-Naga political talks,” it added while pointing out that the ceasefire was signed 1997 to correct the political mistakes of the past like 16 Point Agreement and Shillong Accord.

“The 16 Point Agreement that created Nagaland state covers only16000 sq km, leaving out the rest of the Naga areas covering more than 100000 sq km,” it said.

“It is now up to the Government of India whether it will choose to go with the condemned past agreements by taking the advice of the surviving architect of the 16 Point Agreement or to go with the Framework Agreement that was loudly highlighted before the world and thereby finalize the Indo-Naga political issue once and for all,” it added.

The NSCN (IM) also stated that it is never opposed to early solution except that it should be honourable and acceptable. While acknowledging the people being overburdened with taxations by multiple factions, it said this issue can end only through a solution.

The group claimed that it was the Government of India that created factions in order to burden the Naga public and that “Nagas cannot afford to make another mistake in accepting a settlement which does not guarantee secured future of the Naga people as well as complete eradication of taxes in the name of Naga political struggle”.