The 16 Point Agreement was signed on July 26, 1960
Statehood for Nagaland as the 16th state Indian Union came with effect from Dec 1, 1963
Admirers of the signatories of the 16 Point Agreement and other leaders of that era - both in Nagaland and in Delhi say -- there are perceived hidden depths those have not been made public or shared with common people... because there was no media in Nagaland and regional and national media hardly bothered to covered a far-flung north east and Naga hills sincerely.
Many years later critics said the 16 Point Agreement was also erroneous and a result of some mistakes.
In 2025 ... month of August .... season of Independence Day celebrations and how problems persist
Issues are still complex and perhaps even more complicated than it was in the past -- in the 1950s and 1960s
** We may here make some statements
Do not romanticise the 16 Point Agreement. They do not need that.
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| Blogger with Mrs and Mr S C Jamir |
S C Jamir is the only surviving signatory to the 16 Point Agreement of 1960.
** It will be always a mistake to judge yesterday's politicians by speculations about how the present generation might have behaved or conducted themselves if they were operating in different times.
** Of course a leader with no non-sense briskness like Hokishe Sema or Dr Imkongliba Ao is inconceivable today.
** No one of today's generation can also match the political acumen of S C Jamir - who knew he is the most harassed Naga politician for decades.
Of course he remained a durable and one of the longest surviving Naga Netas for decades.
He became Governor of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha.
Awarded Padma Bhushan - third highest civilian award by the Modi Govt in 2020
Veteran Jamir and PM Modi
*** It would be also hard not to be charmed by J B Jasokie's terseness -- which at times could be devastating.
Like he surprised me and his editor son Riato Jasokie Zinyu : "What peace talks and negotiations .... Vamuzo called former Chief Ministers and he said he wants to initiate peace talks ... but he said he did not have money. State is facing financial crunch".
This was in the year 1990 ... and the ceasefire and peace parleys were pretty far and almost unthinkable !!
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| Jasokie |
On Peace and Ceasefire agreement of 1960s ... Late Hokishe Sema once stated:
The Naga leaders of that era lacked sophistication and modern style and mannerism.
But people were frank and they had the vision and maturity to understand the importance of bringing end to violence. This is something I always admired in those leaders who were senior to us.
They saw big dreams too ... but their hands were often forced by circumstances. I think therefore the 16 Point Agreement was a serious document. It is also the best document that could have been worked out during that period. This is why I admire Pt Nehru and all our leaders who worked for the Statehood so much".
I often asked Naga leaders since 1990s -- can there be comparison between the 1950s and 1960s era with the ones we had under Vamuzo, Jamir and now in 2025.
Response used to be mixed :
- Such comparisons would be misleading.
- It is unwise and unhistorical to try to compare the different eras. For media debates, one may do so ... but things changed around us immensely.
** 1990s could be still compared with the 1960s to an extent.
But 2025 is toyally different in more ways than one.
Another advise has been : these are radically changed times.
Hokishe Sema and Rajiv Gandhi
ZZZ
Politics also changed so much that ...
Several Naga leaders later 'started making team(s) out of rivals'.
Likes of S C Jamir will be always remembered on that front.
Truly Jamir's stock had only grown with the years.
Politics was something that fascinated veteran leader Dr S C Jamir and according to him -- his political journey "was a call of duty for me to serve the people".
"After completion of my study, I was appointed as Circle Officer in 1958 and posted at Pokobhoto, Kohima district but I declined to join the government service because my possession and commitment was to join politics," said in 2023.
In a book published in 2023, Jamir recalled being the chairman of the reception committee of a crucial meet of Naga leaders in 1958.
In his address, Jamir had said -- "We should first kill the Ape and the Tiger in us. The ape stands for primitiveness while tiger stands for ferocity. We should kill one more animal, the Donkey in us.
It has been responsible for hardening our views freezing our postures and rendering our attitudes rigid".
On Governor B K Nehru, Jamir says the then Governor was furious after the UDF government headed by Vizol implemented the election manifesto and released "political prisoners".
"There was a sharp reaction from the Army...".
Chief Minister Vizol was summoned to Shillong as B K Nehru was also holding the charge of Assam and the Governor then was stationed in Shillong.
"Vizol authorized me (then Deputy CM) and Vamuzo to proceed to Shillong in his behalf....Before we could start saying anything, he ( B K Nehru) roared and scolded us for the release of political prisoners without his permission".
"Without showing any anger, I simply replied to him politely that as a political party in a democracy, implementation of its manifesto does not violate the Constitution nor any law of the land...," Jamir recalls.
"As an experienced former ICS officer, B K Nehru just told us that he should have been consulted before the issuance of the said order".
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| Vamuzo : Known for flamboyant style |
ends
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