DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (MExN): The Ongpangkong Students Conference (OKM) and the Ungma Senso Mungdang (USM) have said that they are ‘disturbed’ by accusations leveled against former Governor and Chief Minister, Dr SC Jamir by the NSCN (IM).
The OKM, in a press release, said that every individual has the right to free speech and expression “as a genuine Naga and Indian citizen.” Dr SC Jamir's utterances on Naga political matters are his own opinions and beliefs, and the OKM believes that his statements are not intended to do any damage, it stated.
It meanwhile said that the NSCN (IM)’s “defamation of Dr SC Jamir’s name, branding him a traitor and a destructive person, is an extremely cruel statement which should not be discarded lightly.” The OKM said it would be “irresponsible to label someone like him as destructive and harmful.”
It meanwhile felt that the “war of words, accusations, and counter-allegations will not result in a beneficial outcome; rather it will only weaken and create more division among the Nagas.” The OKM urged all stakeholders working for a peaceful Naga settlement to strive diligently for a timely political solution for the Nagas.
Meanwhile, the Ungma Senso Mungdang (USM) said that “as the last living Naga political icon who has observed the course of the Naga political struggle,” it is only “fitting” that Dr SC Jamir “speaks the truth, and whatever he says represents his personal opinion and views as a true bona fide citizen of Nagaland.”
It termed the accusations against the former Governor as “highly cruel statement and cannot be dismissed lightly.” The USM said it is particularly irked by the characterization of Dr Jamir as a “destructive person and that he has a fondness for creating bloodshed.” “A true Naga citizen who has given his life for the greater good and served at the highest levels of government cannot be described as destructive,” it stated.
The USM meanwhile said that the statements made by Dr SC Jamir on the Naga political issue “have been openly voiced out by many other Naga politicians and political figures on various occasions.” The USM said it is “perplexed as to why the NSCN (IM) wants to single out Dr SC Jamir.” Will the personal accusations and counter-allegations, as well as the verbal battle, lead to a solution, it questioned.
Since the conception of the Naga political aspiration, the USM said that it has been contributing in every possible means even in the darkest of time. “Ungma Senso longs for early Naga political solution. Therefore, we have the legitimate right to know the reason kept in the dark. It is high time the NSCN (IM) disclose the content of the Framework Agreement,” it added.
The USM expressed support to the Ao Senden’s that the competencies that are being negotiated with the Government of India based on the Framework Agreement be made known to every one without further delay.
It meanwhile said that “if our leader is subjected to any form of harm or threat, the Ungma Senso Mungdang will not remain a silent spectator.”
