‘I Became the Most Harassed Naga Politician’: S.C. Jamir on Naga Peace Talks
S.C. Jamir discusses stalled Naga peace talks, factionalism, his meeting with Mohan Bhagwat and Nagaland’s political journey in an exclusive interview. (Image Nirendra Dev)
Born on Oct 17, 1931, Shri S C Jamir turns 96 on Saturday Oct 17, 2026 – On this occasion Nirendra Dev caught up with him for an interview. Jamir recently made news when he held an exclusive meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and virtually complained about delay in Naga peace talks.
By NIRENDRA DEV
In an exclusive interview with Nirendra Dev, the veteran Nagaland leader reflects on decades of political change, the Naga movement, factionalism and his appeal for RSS intervention to break the deadlock in peace negotiations.
Qn. Sir, you have seen pre-Independent India for a brief spell. Then came 1947 …. of course, there was violence in Nagaland in the 1950s and then Nagaland got Statehood in 1963 … India too has come a long way. How do you look back?
S C Jamir: It has been a pretty long innings. Everything happening in front of our eyes. The world has changed a lot. So have the people. Young people’s knowledge base on science and technology is commendable. I am at times surprised to see how my grandchildren are smart and wise enough about use of technology. I was born in 1931. Transformation in my life itself, the social media, the WhatsApp is huge … we have seen the Telegram days. Long distance telephone calls offered unique experience. Then car revolution in India. Maruti cars became favorites … I can go on.
Qn. What about the Naga life? And the socio-political challenges?
S C Jamir: Even after so many decades, we have not able to resolve Naga political problem is also a puzzle in itself. I am at pain about that. During my Matric – we had to walk from Mokokchung to Kohima (a distance of 144 km from Jamir’s hometown to state capital) to appear the exam. But Nagas have been political stakeholders all along.
I or even my friends and political rivals of that era saw politics as a different stage of life. It was never about power alone. We tried to contribute politically. I can fondly remember my friends, my elders and also political rivals – Dr Imkongliba, P Shilu Ao, Vizol… Hokishe Sema.
In 1993 – when I said Nagaland elections should be on three Rs … focusing on Reconciliation everyone liked it. We struggled for Reconciliation. We coined a phrase ‘Peace Offensive’.
Qn. Of course, the social challenges have also opened windows for economic reforms. The world around Northeast India has changed a lot.
S C Jamir: True, things have changed a lot. Well said, even in my life some changes came pretty fast. In my young days … the days of early years of Naga movement and our struggles. Things changed all of a sudden, my sincerity impressed my seniors. Initial years of my days in the Naga People’s Convention, I was a very good listener. I was no longer just an ordinary politician; everyone thought I would be an unexpected phenomenon. Everyone encouraged me to work harder.
In my long career — I found one thing was certain — I realised that many people would also talk about me and my ideas without truly knowing me.
All of a sudden, I became the most harassed Naga politician. But amid all that; I found and always believed .. Nagas were united. They would stick together irrespective of any differences. Nagas are united by a shared purpose.
Qn. What was that purpose or goal?
S C Jamir: The fight to achieve a lasting peace, development and better days for their children. Naga sense of self-determination was a cherished affair. Leaders of the yesterday’s years had full commitments towards this cause and they gave their all for this. But today in the name of Naga cause there had been mushrooming of factions and they started exploiting the common people of Nagaland. There were people who would often show disregard to Statehood, mislead people and youths and at the same time demand all benefits from the state government.
Qn. I may like to take you back to the pre-Statehood days. Till 1947 the Naga Hills was a district of Assam .. Except Wakching of the present Mon district and Longkim- Chari of the present Tuensang district, the rest were ‘unadministered areas’.
S C Jamir: That’s correct. The district head quarter of Tuensang was opened only in 1948. The fact of the matter is trouble had been brewing in the Naga Hills since 1954 with occasional killings by the underground. Kohima town was besieged by armed Nagas in 1956 and in rural areas – teachers and GBs came under attack.
Because of armed conflicts between the Indian Security force and the Naga underground the entire Naga areas were plunged into bloodshed and thereby making the lives of the inhabitants of Naga areas became miserable. At this crucial juncture overground leaders of both the Naga Hills and Tuensang Frontier division decided to intervene to restore peace in the land.
Shashimeren Aier played an important part towards this end. With the collective efforts of all overground leaders the first Naga peoples Convention was held at Kohima on from 22nd to 26 August 1957 to discuss and deliberate and explore all possible means for restoration of peace.
Qn: Please carry on Sir.
S C Jamir: The first Naga People’s Convention as held at Kohima from 22nd to26th August 1957. On Sept 25, 1957, a Naga delegation met Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. On the following day on 26 September 1957, the delegation had a full discussion with Shri S. Dutt, Foreign Secretary, and B.R. Acharya, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. In the first day when the delegation met the Prime Minister; we thanked the Prime Minister and also a request was made for amnesty. Nehru agreed the amnesty.
On the question of amnesty, the Prime Minister said that the amnesty contemplated would also include those who were in jail for offences committed against the state. As a result of the first Naga Peoples Convention the Naga Hills was separated from Assam so also Tuensang Frontier division from NEFA and formed into a separate administrative Unit called NHTA (Naga Hills Tuensang Area) was formed.
After the formation of the state of Nagaland during the time of Interim Body administration, R C Chiten Jamir was sent to Ukhrul in Manipur. A big meeting was arranged with the help of M. L. Kampani, senior officer of Manipur Union Territory at Ukhrul. Chiten told them that in the Sixteen-Point Agreement with GoI, the demand was made for Integration of Naga inhabited areas into Nagaland and therefore pleaded the Nagas of Manipur to join Nagaland. But they (Nagas of Manipur) totally rejected.
Qn. Now Sir, I would like to know about some of the Naga symbols. The ‘stones’ – for example. Often ‘dress’ also implied status. What about Head Hunting?
S C Jamir: It’s quite an elaborate subject. The Stone Culture has been an integral part of Naga life. When a memorial stone is raised; the village male population sportingly perform the herculean task of stone-pulling. The log drums and crafts of wood were also important elements.
The origin of Nagas is still a wide subject to work on. The head-hunting must be something to fear about? But Nagas are very hospitable people. You must be cherishing your younger days in Nagaland…. Head hunting was reported in 1962 and later in 1990. It is a very complicated subject. Among some Nagas; skulls of animals and otherwise are buried since the belief was that such practice enhanced the fertility of the soil. But let’s talk about positive things. We do not have beggars. Everyone is self- sufficient in a Naga village. The females have a fairly high status in Naga society.
Qn: Lately, you created a sensation. At the age of 95, your politics has created ripples in Naga politics. People would remember this for years.
S C Jamir: (Laughs mildly) I did not do anything unusual. To solve Naga problem; I can meet any communist or any RSS leader. This is what I did. I explained the factual position …. the RSS intervention is necessary as things are stuck up somewhere. I have interacted with many key stakeholders … pressed for an early Solution. Even after signing Framework Agreement and Agreed Position; we have not reached the desired goal. That is my concern.
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