MLA Achumbemo Kikon cites Jamir’s 1963 letter and past remarks to challenge Jamir and Therie over their positions on Naga peace
DIMAPUR — NPF Secretary General and MLA Achumbemo Kikon has hit out at former Chief Minister SC Jamir and former Congress leader K Therie over their views on Naga political issue.
Speaking at a programme organised by the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in Chümoukedima on Thursday, Kikon cited a 1963 letter purportedly written by Jamir to then Chief Executive Councillor P Shilu Ao, saying it offered documentary evidence of Jamir’s position during a crucial period of negotiations between Nagas and the government of India.
Kikon also referred to a newspaper clipping from the tenure of former Chief Minister Vamuzo in which Jamir was reportedly described as an “obstacle” to the Naga peace process. He stressed that his references were based on documentary material and were not intended as personal allegations.
Reading from the letter, Kikon said Jamir had questioned the prospect of a meeting between then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Naga leader AZ Phizo and had expressed opposition to what he regarded as the government of India’s “double standard” on the issue.
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Kikon said the letter showed that Jamir had sought to reopen the agreement that preceded the creation of Nagaland if the government did not meet the expectations of those involved in the statehood movement.
The MLA also referred to the 16-Point Agreement of 1960 and the inauguration of Nagaland as a state in 1963, arguing that the subsequent 1964 ceasefire between the government of India and the NNC/FGN demonstrated that the creation of Nagaland State had not ended the Naga political issue.
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He said the NPF continued to maintain that an “honourable, inclusive and acceptable” solution to the Naga political issue was awaited.
Kikon also defended the NPF’s political approach, contrasting the “equi-distance” policy of Jamir’s tenure as chief minister with the NPF government’s “equi-closeness” approach after it came to power in 2003.
He maintained that the latter was based on the belief that different sections of Naga society should not be kept apart and that differences should instead be addressed collectively.
Kikon further criticised Jamir’s reported remarks favouring the imposition of President’s Rule in Nagaland, saying such a position was inappropriate for a senior political leader.
He argued that governments were elected by the people through the democratic process and should be allowed to govern within that framework.
Kikon also responded to recent remarks by Therie, who had described the NPF as a stumbling block to the Naga peace process.
Citing a newspaper report dated June 10, 2002, Kikon said that Therie had at that time described Jamir as the “main obstacle” to the Naga peace process.
He questioned the change in Therie’s position and urged senior political leaders to maintain consistency in their positions on the Naga political issue.
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