Ashemo Zubonthung Jami (A.Z. Jami) present kilonser of NSCN (IM) celebrated 60th year of his involvement in the Naga Freedom Struggle on the 20th March, 2016 at his residence at Dimapur, Nagaland. It was a low key affair. A thanksgiving prayer service for unfailing guidance and protection of the Almighty God, Jehovah and miraculous escapes from the hands of enemies during his long service for the cause of the Naga Nation and the Naga people. He was not at all after leadership, but what he said was “I want to be an ideal member of a team”. He took the Naga freedom struggle as a sort of religion. His integrity, honesty, truthfulness and simplicity were conspicuous. He is a man w ho will stand for right and truth even at the cost of his life. His short profile will prove how he is not at all after leadership though he deserves and is capable.
1. In March, 1956 he joined the Naga Home Guards as private (Sepoy) at Lotsu of Lotha Region.
2. In April, 1956 he was given the rank of Sergeant (Havildar).
3. At the end of July, 1956 he was promoted to 2nd Lieut., after the Kohima capital attack in which he participated.
4. At the end of 1957 he took study leave for six years for further study.
5. In 1961-62 I.A exams he secured the 9th position of top ten from the Guwahati University. During the time Guwahati University was the only University in the entire North-East India. He was the first Naga student to secure the fame position in the University exam.
6. After coming back from college, he joined the Naga Army again and was given the rank of Major as his seniority was counted by the FGN 7.
He was one of the leading Officers of the Naga Army who undertook the 3rd batch of Alee Command (foreign Command). On their return from Alee Command, it was he who led the command through heavy enemy lines risking his life and comfort as an Army Officer. That is why, the command Commanders recommended him for a gallantry award of Military cross. Hoping this will be materialist when an honorable solution to the Naga political problem is found.
8. He had been Commander of the 17th Bn., Naga Army.
9. He had been commander of the 6th Brigade of Naga Army.
10. At the end of 1967 he resigned from Naga Army and was elected as Tatar (MP).
11. In 1968 he was elected as Deputy Speaker of the Tatar Hoho.
12. When Mr. Jirenkokpa Ao, the then speaker of Tatar Hoho joined the Revolutionary Govt. of Nagaland, he (A.Z.Jami) was made the speaker in place of Mr. Jirenkokpa
13. In 1970 he was captured by the Indian Army and underwent imprisonment. He said, he was treated well by the Indian Army as a Naga Intellectual and educated man “You could have been an IAS Officer, why you joined the underground” were their first words.
14. After release from jail on bail, he fought a long legal battle for his involvement in the underground set up. At last he was acquitted by District first class magistrate with the verdict which ran thus, “The AFSPA, NSR, and Unlawful Activities etc were under suspension when the accused was arrested. Therefore, being a member of the underground is no offence against any law or statute of the state. The accused is requited”.
15. Outrightly he was not an individualist; he possessed a great zeal for common cause. In other words he was community minded. So during the intervening period when the NNC was in disarrayed, in order to ameliorate public grievances, if successful, he with due information given to the FGN authorities, contested the 1974 Nagaland State election. But contesting election without a penny could not be successful. He then served as chairman of an Area council during which he helped the public of the District in many ways. His close associates will testify so.
16. After the signing of the Shillong Accord by some Naga leaders he formed the Ex-underground union, a covered name, under which he reorganized the NNC in Lotha Region. He and his colleagues also formed the peace force, also a covered name, which later given the name as “Task Force” by K.Yanthan, the then president of N.N.C .He was given the rank of Lieut-General the command the Task Force.
17. After the death of A.Z. Phizo in 1990, K.Yanthan was elected as the president of N.N.C at Mokokchung and he assumed charge at Wokha when he returned from England. During the time A.Z Jami discharged dual responsibilities. He was elected as an Executive Member of the N.N.C Central council. He was then elected as General Secretary of the N.N.C (1993-94).
18. In the middle of 1994, he formally resigned from the General Secretary, N.N.C and joined the NSCN (I-M). Though he held top posts in the pre and post Shillong Accord in the FGN/NNC he never demanded any rank from the NSCN (I-M) authorities. His only objective was how much he could do for Nagas and the Naga Nation.
19. He was appointed first as a mere CAO (Central Administrative Officer) of Lotha Region.
20. In 1995 when he was serving as CAO he was captured by Indian Army when he went home to attend his dead son’s funeral and underwent imprisonment. After his release from jail he again joined NSCN (I-M) and was elected as Tatar.
21. He was made Deputy Kilonser of MIP and then he was inducted as a Cabinet Kilonser for law and justice of NSCN/GPRN.
22. He was Cabinet Kilonser of Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) for three times.
23. He held a Cabinet Kilonser post of Trade and Commerce for a short time. And was also the kilo-kilonser for sometime
24. He was made a member of Steering Committee three times and was also Executive Secretary of the S.C for a term.
25. In 2005 due to some differences with his colleague, he left NSCN (I-M) by submitting a formal resignation letter and joined the NSCN (K).
26. In the NSCN (K) he was made the Kilonser of MIP and Education, and then the Convener of the Cabinet Committee, to be functioned during the absence of the collective leadership.
27. The NSCN (K) leaders respected him as much as he respected them and they were all in good terms. But in 2007 Isaac Swu and Th-Muivah made solemn declaration of Reconciliation and Unity and almost all the senior former colleagues of NSCN/GPRN called him on the advice of the collective leadership to return back to the organization. He appreciated their gestures, and hoping that since Th-Muivah is negotiating with India, his return to the NSCN (I-M) will be at least some help for the success of the peace process. He returned not that he had scant respect for the NSCN (K) leadership, but he thought, that will do some good for the Nagas. However, it remains to be seen how far Unity and Reconciliation will be effective and the political dialogue with India be successful. In short as a freedom fighter, he was a Soldier, a parliamentarian and an administrator.
He was in NNC for 37 years, 3 years in NSCN (K) and had been in the NSCN (I-M) for 20 years now.
Family members of A.Z. Jami, Senior Kilonser NSCN/GPRN
