Jamir expound on 16-pt agreement, Statehood & beyond

Dimapur | August 13 : Former Nagaland Chief Minister and former Goa & Maharashtra Governor, Dr. SC Jamir, has sought to clear controversies surrounding the 16-Point Agreement, which led to formation of Nagaland state. In an introductory address during the release of his book “Naga Peoples Convention and 16th Points Agreement” here at Hotel Saramati on Friday, the veteran politician said the book seeks to clarify that the 16-point agreement was not “Jamir’s idea” alone but evolved after exhaustive and widespread deliberations by representatives of 16 Naga tribes. Jamir also said that although the underground leaders did not accept the agreement, yet they were ‘always kept in the picture’.

Recalling the turbulent armed Naga political struggle of the early days, Jamir said that the Naga Peoples Convention (NPC) came into being in 1957 when representatives of 16 tribes of the Naga Hills and Tuensang Frontier Agency met at Kohima, “to discuss, deliberate and explore all possible means for early and lasting restoration of peace, unity and harmony in the beleaguered Naga lands.” After extensive “re-shaping and finalizing of the draft memorandum”, the 16-Point Agreement was finally adopted during the 3rd NPC held at Mokokchung town in October 1959, Jamir said.

Jamir who is the lone surviving member of the 19-member “Negotiating Body” authorized by NPC to initiate dialogue with Government of India on the basis of the 16-point, said that he was just a Joint Secretary of the NPC during that time. To his political detractors who cry hoarse over the 16-point, the veteran Congressman reminded them of the oath of allegiance to the Indian Constitution before they enter the State legislative assembly. Jamir also made it a point to mention that everything that Nagaland and its people were enjoying now was as a result of this agreement. He also said that of the 60 legislators in the present Nagaland assembly, only a couple of the legislators know what happened in Nagaland in the last 50 years. “Most politicians have no idea how statehood was born,” he said.

Reflecting on the present Naga society and state of politics, Jamir said that there is dearth or “famine of truth” as people were afraid to speak the truth. Apart from Naga people’s obsession with politics which, he said, is not so healthy, Jamir said that “prejudice accompanied by intolerance” has become the order of present Naga society.

On the much-quoted “honourable settlement” vis-a-vis the Naga political issue, the senior Congressman said that in a democracy, any kind of settlement should depend on voice and wishes of the people. He expressed regret that in Naga society, the voices of the people have been drowned by gun culture. Jamir further asked whether the myriad types of politics Nagas dapple with including factional politics, village politics, overground politics, Hoho politics and clan politics, can bring Nagas together.

Queried on “integration” of Naga contiguous areas contained in the 16-Point agreement, he said that in the past the Integration Committee had not received forthcoming response from Nagas outside Nagaland. He also said that Nagaland Government had passed three resolutions in the assembly, reiterating “integration.” Jamir has mooted the idea of having pan-Naga socio-cultural platform where all Nagas can come and meet together. 

Jamir also said that if a political framework were to be devised to bring about solution to the Naga problem, “we have to think about contemporary politics taking place in the world, our country and in Naga society.” Jamir said that his “clear cut” advice to all including the Naga underground groups is that Nagas have to be in tune with contemporary 21st century line of thinking.

He said that any arrangement or agreement Nagas make should seek to protect the Naga identity and future Naga generations. He stressed on the contemporary economic and social realities that should be accounted for to design any political future, which will be the deciding factors for not just political but economic and social sovereignty, which would result in a mature, transparent and effective Naga polity.

On the ongoing talks between the NSCN (I-M) and Government of India, Jamir said that “whatever they decide should be just to the entire Naga society and should be futuristic, keeping in mind the political changes that could occur if technocrats or the extreme-right were to come into power, or when India reached a ‘super power’ status.”

The book was released by Pastor Zulu of Chumukedima Ao Baptist Church who also offered dedicatory prayer. Saturday’s book release was attended by family members, well wishers, Congress party leaders and media.

 

Former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. SC Jamir has ridiculed the proposal of the NPF led DAN government to grant autonomy (council) for the areas coming under Eastern Nagaland pointing out that whatever autonomy is available under the Indian constitution has already been given. “It doesn’t make sense to ask for district autonomy”, Jamir said while addressing a select group of people during the release of his book ‘Naga Peoples Convention and 16th Points Agreement’ at Hotel Saramati on Friday. 

Breaking his silence over the ENPO demand for a separate State, the former Chief Minister blamed the NPF led DAN Government on “mishandling the situation” and pointed out that the circumstances leading to the demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland’ by ENPO was an outcome of “groupings and divisive politics” of recent times. He justified his argument by stating that the backward tribes under the ENPO had been “alienated” from the mainstream and also that these people were made to “feel insecure”. 

Recalling the time of the State’s formation, the veteran politician said that during this period people of the Naga Hills and Tuensang Frontier Agency decided to come and live together. “It was a love marriage and not a forced merger,” Jamir said. He also mentioned that this was the first time two Naga areas were integrated under a common administration. 

Jamir had played an active part as a member of the Naga Peoples’ Convention (NPC) to integrate the Naga Hills Tuensang Area (NHTA) from North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) into what became a part of present Nagaland during the run-up to July, 1960 when the 16-point resolution was agreed upon with the Indian government, in the presence of leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Imkongliba Ao. The 16-point agreement was signed in August that year.

The former Chief Minister said that the Tuensang Frontier, falling under ‘un-administered’ areas those days, had been earmarked by the government for special development and economic packages such as Backward Area Development Fund and Border Area Fund. However, instead of people of the four backward districts –Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng-- getting the benefits, people from outside these districts manipulated and exploited them, Jamir held. 

While speaking his mind out on this issue, the seasoned politician also had a word or two of advice. According to him, any important decision/s should be taken after due consideration and foresight. He regretted that the ruling dispensation seems to only be interested in “election gimmicks”. He called upon legislators of the four districts to reflect on the plight of their people and to remedy the disparities. “We need to address this issue with care and compassion,” said Jamir.