Ungma Senso Mongdang slams NSCN (I-M) leaders for attack on Jamir

DIMAPUR, SEP 24 (NPN): The Ungma Senso Mongdang (USM), the apex organisation of Ungma village, has strongly objected to remarks made by NSCN (I-M) leaders V.S. Atem and R.H. Raising against former Nagaland chief minister and governor Padma Bhushan Dr. S.C. Jamir, questioning their locus standi to challenge his right to speak on the Naga political issue.
In a statement, Senso president Imtisungkum Longkumer, Tatar, and general secretary Temsunungsang Jamir, Tatar, said they took exception to the remarks made by Atem and Raising on September 16, in which they reportedly stated that Jamir had “no mandate” to speak on matters concerning the Naga political solution.
The Senso also objected to the description of Jamir as “not an advocate of the Naga people” and the assertion that he had “no right” to speak on the Naga political issue.
Questioning the two leaders’ locus standi, the Ungma Senso Mongdang said Atem and Raising were not Nagas from Nagaland and questioned their authority to challenge the mandate of Jamir, whom it described as a bona fide indigenous citizen and “true son of the soil” of Ungma.
The Senso said the Naga political struggle had its roots in Nagaland and involved generations of sacrifice by the people. It highlighted Ungma’s historical role in the political movement, recalling that the Second Naga People’s Convention was held in the village from May 21 to 23, 1958.
It also referred to the Naga political meeting organised by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation at Ungma on August 23, 2025, which brought together representatives of different factions and Naga civil society organisations.
The Senso said hundreds and thousands of people from Ungma had made sacrifices for the Naga cause and questioned Atem and Raising, asking, “Where were you? What have you done?”
It urged Nagas of Nagaland to question the authority of the two leaders to dictate terms to the people of Nagaland, “much less” question the standing and mandate of a leader of Jamir’s stature, who, it said, had served the State and the Naga people for decades.
According to the Senso, dismissing Jamir’s mandate was not only an insult to him personally but also an affront to the Naga people of Nagaland, particularly the people of Ungma.
The Senso maintained that the Naga political issue was not the private property of any individual, faction or armed group but belonged to the Naga people as a whole.
It said no self-appointed leader or spokesperson had the authority to silence or discredit a bona fide citizen of Nagaland.
The Senso further asserted that Jamir’s freedom of speech and expression on the Naga political issue could not be curtailed by what it described as an outside element.
Defending Jamir’s public record, the Senso said he was not merely a former chief minister but a statesman whose contributions to the Naga political process, constitutional safeguards of Naga interests and the unity and integrity of Nagaland were matters of recorded history. It said his views on the Naga political issue carried the weight of his experience and decades of public service.
The USM also announced several positions in response to the remarks. It said it unequivocally questioned and challenged the statements made by Atem and Raising against Jamir and rejected what it described as attempts by non-Nagaland elements to interfere in the political affairs and leadership of Nagaland.
It further stated that the people of Ungma would not cooperate, engage with or honour the leader-ship of any organisation, group, faction or formation associated with Atem and Raising.
The Senso warned that any attempt to undermine, disrespect or intimidate Naga leaders from Nagaland by outsiders would be met with resistance from the people. It also called upon Nagas of Nagaland to stand united and defend what it described as their birthright.
USM expressed solidarity with the ultimatum served by the Ao Senden on September 23 and appreciated civil society organisations for extending solidarity over the issue.
It appealed to Naga organisations, citizens and civil society groups to remain united against what it described as “divisive and opportunistic politics” and forces seeking to create discord among the people.
The Senso also criticised Nagaland MLA Achumbemo Kikon, for his remarks, saying he had not witnessed the struggles and sacrifices of earlier generations and should not, based on what it termed “half-baked history”, trade the birthright of a bona fide citizen of Nagaland for political mileage.