DIMAPUR, SEP 23 (NPN): Several organisations of the Ao community including the apex Ao Senden have condemned the recent verbal attacks against veteran Naga leader, former chief minister and former governor Dr. S.C. Jamir by NSCN (I-M) leaders– deputy ato kilonser V.S. Atem and steering committee member R.H. Raising.
Ao Senden has taken strong exception to what it termed as “disparaging remarks” made by NSCN (I-M) leaders against veteran Naga leader, former Nagaland chief minister and former governor Dr. S.C. Jamir, and demanded their retraction within 15 days.
In a statement, Ao Senden president Marsanen Imsong and general secretary Imtipokyim strongly condemned the remarks attributed to NSCN (I-M) deputy ato kilonser V.S. Atem and steering committee member R.H. Raising on September 16, 2026.
According to the Senden, Atem had reportedly stated that Dr. Jamir was “not mandated and authorized” by the people and was “just talking for the sake of barking.”
It also objected to Raising’s reported remarks that Dr. Jamir was “not an advocate of the Naga people” and had “no right to talk about the issue of Naga people.”
While condemning the remarks, Ao Senden also reiterated its unwavering stand on sovereignty as the sole aim and legitimate aspiration of the Naga people.
The Senden said the Naga political journey had witnessed differences of opinion and self-inflicted divisions among the Nagas. However, it asserted that such differences did not mean that the Naga political issue was the exclusive domain of any individual, group or faction.
The Senden maintained that the Naga political issue concerned the collective aspirations of the Naga people and could not be monopolised by any particular organisation or group.
In this regard, it asserted that every Naga citizen with an understanding of the political situation had the right to express views and contribute towards finding a way forward for the stalled political process.
It maintained that differences in political opinion should not prevent individuals from participating in discussions concerning the future of the Naga people.
In light of its position, Ao Senden called upon Atem and Raising to retract their respective statements within 15 days in the larger interest of the Nagas.
The Senden warned that failure to withdraw the remarks within the stipulated period would leave it with no option but to pursue its own course of action.
AKM calls for democratic debate on Naga issue: Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) has said the ongoing discussion surrounding former Nagaland chief minister and governor Dr S.C. Jamir should be addressed through democratic dialogue and public debate.
In a statement, AKM president Lanulemba Longchar and general secretary Aomayang Longkumer said if Dr Jamir had expressed views on the Naga political issue, those views were open to questioning, disagreement and scrutiny. At the same time, it said questioning his views should not be equated with questioning his right to speak.
AKM said if every Naga had the freedom to express an opinion on the Naga political issue, every Naga must equally have the freedom to question, challenge and seek clarification on such opinions.
It said no individual or organisation should claim exclusive ownership over the right to discuss the political future of the Naga people.
The organisation said if a statement made by any individual was considered factually or historically incorrect, the concerned parties should place the facts, records and reasons before the Naga public. It said the response to a disputed political view should be another well-reasoned view and not an attempt to silence the speaker.
AKM maintained that the Naga political issue concerned every Naga and therefore must remain open to public discussion. It said every Naga had the democratic right to express an opinion, question a position, disagree with a view or seek clarification.
It added that differences of opinion should be addressed through dialogue, reasoned debate and mutual respect rather than intimidation or condemnation.
Supongmeren backs Jamir: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) president and Lok Sabha MP S. Supongmeren Jamir has said every Naga citizen and leader has the right to speak on the Naga political solution.
Responding to a question on the recent statement of former Nagaland chief minister and governor Dr S.C. Jamir, Supongmeren said the Naga people’s struggle for their rights was a continuous process and every Naga leader had the right to speak on the political solution.
On comments made by legislators and other Naga political leaders on the issue, he said such views could be based on their personal perspectives, but maintained that every Naga had the right to speak on the Naga political solution.
Asked about making Vande Mataram compulsory, considering Nagaland’s concerns over the issue, Supongmeren said it was “totally against the ethic of Christianity” and asserted that the Government of India, being a secular government, should not make it mandatory.
On the recent Tuensang incident in which 10 persons died allegedly due to illicit liquor, he said the pros and cons of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act needed to be examined.
Supongmeren said any law should be aimed at saving lives and added that its pros and cons needed to be considered and the law rectified accordingly. (Staff Reporter)
OKM backs Jamir: Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) said it was deeply disturbed over recent allegations against Dr. S.C. Jamir, an experienced Naga political leader, over his statements on the Naga political issue, asserting that every Naga citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression.
In a statement, OKM president Tongpangmangyang Kichu and general secretary Sungkumjang Kichu said Jamir’s utterances on Naga political matters reflected his personal opinions and beliefs and were not intended to cause harm.
The organisation termed as “uncalled-for and unacceptable” the remarks attributed to NSCN (I-M), including descriptions of Jamir as “not mandated and authorized” and “not an advocate of the Naga people”, as well as the assertion that he had “no right to talk about the issues of the Naga people”.
OKM said any Naga citizen with an understanding of the Naga political landscape had the right to contribute views towards advancing the prolonged political process.
It said the ongoing war of words, accusations and counter-allegations would yield no positive outcome, but instead weaken unity and deepen divisions among Nagas.
OKM urged all stakeholders pursuing a peaceful settlement to work diligently towards a timely and honourable political solution.
It also reaffirmed its support for the statements and directives issued by Ao Senden and Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), and said it would remain vigilant and responsive to further developments.