Born on Oct 17, 1931, veteran Naga leader S C Jamir turned 96 on Saturday Oct 17, 2026 ::: Here we take a closer look at some of his quotes and comments on multiple subjects:
In 1994, there were allegations about S C Jamir's alleged nexus with the Khaplang faction of the NSCN-IM.
In an interview with me (published in various local and regional papers including 'The Eastern Clarion' - then published from Jorhat in Assam and 'Nagaland Times' -- Jamir had countered me and responded saying -
"I will call it this way; as a Congressman we have taken right steps. We are in direct direction. It is very unfortunate that my name is dragged into all these. I have told you earlier that I am the most harassed Naga politician.
I can tell you firmly that I have never met Khaplang, Dally Mongro or anybody else. This is political blackmail".
(published Oct 15, 1994 - 'The Eastern Clarion' )
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| 'Eastern Clarion', Jorhat |
S C Jamir gave another interesting interview in February 2023 - which was reported for Dimapur-based 'Nagaland Page'.
Jamir who has worked with all Indian Prime Ministers since Jawaharlal Nehru had said, "During our initial days in politics and in parliament; we used to think probably two or three political forces will dominate Indian political scene.
That would have helped India. I think many problems India faces today even after 75 years of its existence like caste-based politics would not have got encouragement".
"On the same backdrop, I will argue; linguistic based politics also were encouraged. This has triggered a dangerous trend. One party may be called a Bengali party or a Tamil party. This was not the India, our founding fathers had imagined," he said.
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| 1994 -- Eastern Clarion, Jorhat (Assam) |
To another question, he said, no Naga worth his salt will deny the existence of the Naga political issue. But at the same time, once committed; Nagas have protected Indian flag and cherished the power of the Indian Constitution.
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| Naga Kargil martyr Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse Posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra |
"Why Naga soldiers and officials in the Indian army perform so brilliantly? Is it for their salary? No, it is for their devotion to work and in honour of the tri-colour. Think of the innocent Naga policeman from a village. All have a great sense of duty and devotion".
To a question, Jamir referred to his days in the UDF in the 1970s.
He recalled quite vividly. "The Naga Nationalist Organization (NNO) to which Hokishe and all of us were members passed a Resolution at Pfutsero general session affirming that "Naga underground are not hostiles but an integral part of Naga family and they should be treated as such".
This landmark resolution was not implemented by the NNO Govt.
Hence differences arose within the party. Some of us led by T N Angami, former CM, were expelled from the party".
He further said, "So, along with the UFN we formed the UDF. In the subsequent election UDF came to power. It was the desire of the people we formed the UDF".
There was yet another interesting episode. This was not any interview. My story for 'The Sentinel' in 1995 goes like this:
"What was perhaps a stroke in self defence, Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir, now has adopted well motivated steps to ensure his durability...
There have been reports of late that Home Minister S B Chavan has cautioned Jamir ....if the law and order situation vis-a-vis activities of Naga guerilla groups, was not dealt with appropriately."
At a meeting with top bureaucrats at the old Zonal Council Hall, the chief minister had said -
"I had a hard time with the Home Minister Chavan".
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| My piece for 'The Sentinel', Guwahati (1995) |
A visibly anguished Jamir also told the officials that henceforth his government would take exemplary actions against Govt servants who were either "involved" to abet or give indulgence anti-social and anti-national elements.
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| Jamir - Nagaland House - 2021 |
In 2021, I interviewed him in the month of November in Nagaland House, APJ Abdul Kalam Road, New Delhi - wherein he had said -
"Naga people have great potential to develop and contribute towards building this great nation. Especially, our younger generation is very intelligent, and their views are very broad. They don't confine themselves to tribes, they don't confine themselves to their own people.
But they have a broader vision quite different from the older generation".
In the same interaction, to a question on his personal rapport with PM Narendra Modi, the senior Naga politician said:
"We (as Gujarat Governor) 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 the Governor to interfere, so I never interfered".
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| Jamir in 1998 : Raj Bhavan, Kohima after swearing in : Blogger and 'two AIR officers' |
Classic of all his statements would perhaps be --- about his only meeting with NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah in 2009.
Jamir (told me in December 2023) -- "It was a good meeting no doubt. For the first time I met Muivah on that day. Our discussions were in the presence of his Kilonsers and Ao Senden Office bearers. (reported in 'Nagaland Page' and also a few websites in Manipur)
Jamir went on:
"When I provoked Muivah for his inability to find solution with the Govt of India even after more than six to seven years of negotiation, may be out of anger or moat probably his conscious might have pricked him and he said that - “ I have asked the Govt of India not to put any condition so that I will also not raise the issue of sovereignty.”!
I think as a Naga he spoke out the truth. Later on in a Mammut meeting on 29th February 2012, his statement was publicly announced by Late Gen Khole Konyak in his speech by saying that Muivah told them that in view of International situation Naga independence was not possible, so also integration of Naga areas because of the policy of the Govt of India and also Myanmar respectively.”
"Further more neither sovereignty nor Integration appear in the two Official Agreements between two groups of the underground.
My first and last meeting (with Muivah) was in Delhi and while departing from the scene while shaking hands with Muivah; he told me, “Jamir so we may not meet again”.
I too replied "no need ... because I told you everything during the discussion" and then everybody laughed.
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| S C Jamir receiving Padma Bhushan from President Ram Nath Kovind |
Ends
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