Archive · 7 Oct 2026
NSCN-IM Leaders Retract Remarks on Jamir’s Right to Speak
Two leaders of the NSCN-IM had questioned whether former Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir should speak about the Naga political issue.
Jamir had met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and asked him to urge the Indian government to reach a settlement.
The Ao Senden, a leading body of the Ao Naga tribe, objected to the leaders’ comments and warned them to withdraw them within 15 days.
The two leaders have now retracted their remarks.
They said they did not mean to hurt the Ao Senden.
The Ao Senden says Nagas should be able to share their views even when there are differences.
NSCN-IM and the Indian government have been holding talks since a 1997 ceasefire.
Some major demands remain unsettled, so there is no final agreement yet.
NSCN-IM leaders V S Atem and R H Raising withdrew comments about former Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir.
They said their remarks were not intended to hurt the Ao Senden’s sentiments.
The Ao Senden had warned it would take action if the comments were not retracted within 15 days.
The dispute followed Jamir’s September 10 meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to seek support for an early settlement.
Talks between NSCN-IM and the Indian government continue, but key NSCN-IM demands remain unresolved.
- Who
- NSCN-IM leaders V S Atem and R H Raising, former Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir, and the Ao Senden.
- What
- Atem and Raising retracted remarks questioning Jamir’s authority to speak on the Naga political issue.
- When
- The retraction was announced on Tuesday; the disputed comments were made on September 16, 2026.
- Where
- The report was datelined Dimapur; Jamir met Mohan Bhagwat in New Delhi.
- Why
- The Ao Senden had warned of action unless the remarks were withdrawn within 15 days.
Ao Senden’s position
NSCN-IM leaders’ earlier position
Who may speak on the Naga political issue
Ao Senden’s position
The Ao Senden said differences in the Naga political journey should not stop individual Nagas from expressing views on the issue.
NSCN-IM leaders’ earlier position
Atem had questioned Jamir’s authority to speak on the issue, saying he was not an advocate of the Naga people; Atem and Raising later retracted the remarks.
Response to the controversy
Ao Senden’s position
The Ao Senden warned it would take its own course of action if the remarks were not withdrawn within the stipulated period.
NSCN-IM leaders’ earlier position
Atem and Raising said the comments were not intended to hurt the Ao Senden’s sentiments and withdrew them.
- Retracting leaders
- NSCN-IM Deputy Ato Kilonser V S Atem and Steering Committee member R H Raising
- Person at the center of the remarks
- S C Jamir, former Nagaland chief minister
- Ao Senden deadline
- The body warned it would take action if the remarks were not retracted within 15 days.
- Jamir-Bhagwat meeting
- September 10 in New Delhi
- Ceasefire
- NSCN-IM and the Government of India entered a ceasefire agreement in 1997.
- Framework Agreement
- Signed by the two sides in August 2015.
- Unresolved demands
- NSCN-IM demands include a separate Naga flag and constitution, and integration of Naga-inhabited areas.