Veteran Naga leader Jamir dispels rumours about his health and death

New Delhi/Dimapur

Veteran Naga leader and former Governor of Gujarat and Maharashtra, Dr S C Jamir, has dispelled rumour about his deteriorating health conditions and death on Sunday, Nov 13 night.

"This is to inform all citizens of Nagaland and beyond that through the grace of God I continue to maintain a very good health," said the 91 year-old Jamir, who was Nagaland Chief Minister for five terms.

Blogger and veteran Jamir: Aug 28, 2022

In a 49 second video posted on social media and local TV channels, the political stalwart and a protagonist of nationalism in the insurgency-stricken region, said, 

"It is most unfortunate that there are some people who are spreading canard about me, which is totally false".

"However, may God bless them to carry out such canards if they desire to do so," he said.

The veteran leader also served as Governor of Goa and Odisha and was one of the early Naga parliamentarians.

Jamir, who enjoys good personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their intimacy during 

his stint as Governor of Gujarat only for five months, has served under first Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal

Nehru as well.

A seasoned Congressman nowadays spends most of his time in his Chumukeidma residence

near Dimapur with his wife. 

In fact, prior to the spreading of the concocted fake news, on Nov 13, it was very much a normal day for Jamir.

He even spoke to a few friends and this journalist over phone and generally enquired how electioneering is going on in Gujarat.

"I propose to visit Delhi during winter session of parliament Dev...," he said. 

Jamir also posted a brief video of quotes to some associates on social media wherein an illustrious thinker  speaks about 'ants' and how two varieties of ants can stay alongside in a jar until the jar is shaken by an external force.

And when he was told that the video is quite apt and has a universal value, Jamir said, "Is not the situation

almost similar in Nagaland?....that's how these quotes are so relevant".

Jamir has survived attempts on his life more than once including one in 1992 November in Delhi's 29 APJ Abdul

Kalam Nagaland House.

Often he pens articles on contemporary Naga politics and the ongoing peace parleys. He is well known

for his hardliner views on certain issues and he is a strong proponent of statehood for Nagaland and for

upholding of Article 371 (A).

Jamir is actually the only surviving leader among Nagas who inked the Statehood pact -- commonly known

as the 16 Point Agreement of 1960. Only after this pact was inked Nagaland came into being as

the 16th state of Indian union.

Commenting on his relationship and understanding with PM Modi, Jamr told this scribe in November 2021,

"We had a very good relationship though I was there only for five months. We were good friends. When I became 

Governor of Gujarat in 2009, I told him, I am an ex-Chief Minister so I know the responsibility of a Chief Minister. 

So as Governor I will never interfere. My role would come only when you trespass on the constitution. I myself never liked

Governor to interfere, so I never interfered"

In the past too Jamir had to dispel rumous about his health conditions at least twice. 

ends 

(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of books, 'The Talking Guns: North East India' 

and 'Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth'. Views are personal)