NSCN-IM leaders VS Atem and Rh. Raising retract remarks on SC Jamir after Ao Senden demanded withdrawal of comments
DIMAPUR — NSCN (IM) leaders VS Atem and Rh. Raising have retracted their September 16 comments on former Nagaland chief minister SC Jamir, following an ultimatum from the Ao Senden seeking withdrawal of the remarks.
In a joint declaration dated October 6, the two leaders stated that their comments were not intended to hurt the sentiments of the Ao Senden.
“If our comments on 16th September 2026 on Dr. SC Jamir have hurt the sentiment of the Ao Senden, it was never meant to do so and therefore, we do retract it forthright,” the statement read.
The declaration comes nearly two weeks after the Ao Senden, the apex body of the Ao community, demanded that the two leaders retract their remarks within 15 days.
Read more: Ao Senden gives NSCN (IM) leaders 15 days to retract remarks on Jamir
The controversy began after Atem and Raising questioned Jamir’s authority to speak on the Naga political issue following the veteran leader’s meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Delhi.
On September 16, Atem had questioned whether Jamir was “authorised or mandated” to speak on the issue. Raising, meanwhile, had said Jamir was not an advocate of the Naga people and questioned his right to speak on the issue.
The remarks drew a sharp response from the Ao Senden, which said the Naga political issue could not be treated as the exclusive domain of any individual, group or faction. It maintained that every Naga with an understanding of the political situation had the right to express views and contribute towards moving the stalled political process forward.
The Senden had also reaffirmed its position that sovereignty remained the “sole aim and legitimate aspiration” of the Naga people, while calling on the NSCN (IM) leaders to retract their remarks in the larger interest of the Nagas. It had warned that failure to do so would compel it to take its “own course of action”.