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Former governor of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Odisha, and former chief minister of Nagaland, Dr. S.C. Jamir, on Monday asserted that Nagaland’s future must be shaped through political statesmanship and civil-military synergy while stressing the need for urgent reforms to rescue the state from political, social and moral decline.
The Veteran Naga leader made this remark virtually at a three-day Military-Civil Fusion Seminar held at Captain N Kengurüse, MVC Auditorium, IGAR, Kohima Garrison organized under the aegis of Spear Corps on the theme, “Align Defence Forces’ Missions and Civilian Governance through Collaborative Landscape and Shared Vision towards Development of the People of Nagaland”.
Speaking on the topic, “Historical, Socio-cultural and Geographic Sensitivities of Nagaland: Shaping Future through Political Statesmanship and Military-Civil Synergy”, Jamir said Nagas could no longer afford to remain confined to the past but must rise to meet the challenges of globalization and modern politics.
Describing the seminar as timely, he stressed that history, geography and socio-cultural concerns could only be addressed with open minds and willingness to hear all viewpoints.
Jamir, however, lamented that the political landscape of Nagaland had degenerated into what he termed a “nameless and faceless politics” devoid of ideology, principles or morality.
He claimed that politicians were obsessed with becoming MLAs or ministers “by hook or crook,” while party-hopping for tickets had become the norm.
According to him, democracy in Nagaland had been reduced to “auctioning of precious votes,” where both politicians and voters were complicit in a cycle of greed and corruption.
Jamir asserted that without electoral reforms rooted in Naga traditional values and political morality, the Assembly would remain dominated by leaders more focused on recovering election expenses through corruption than serving the people.
He maintained that the crucial question today was not whether Nagas were Indians, but how the future of the Naga people could be secured pragmatically, as they remained caught between utopian calls for sovereignty and a confused political class pandering to national parties without principles or ideology.
Reflecting on the decades of struggle, Jamir said that under A.Z. Phizo, the Naga movement was once a genuine struggle for independence that inspired sacrifice across tribes.
However, after years of bloodshed, sovereignty had remained elusive and the underground movement had, in his view, lost credibility, reduced to extortion and harassment of citizens.
Jamir said that the public was now pragmatic and globally aware, desiring peace and stability instead of endless rhetoric.
According to Jamir, Naga society today stood at a crossroads, plagued by confusion and cynicism in the absence of inspiring leadership.
Questioning the prolonged delay despite the signing of Framework Agreement (August 3, 2015) and the Agreed Position (November 17, 2017), Jamir urged that both civil and military voices impress upon the Government of India to implement them without further delay.
Once resolved, he said, Nagas could rise as free citizens and pursue livelihoods without hindrance.
Further, underlining the aspirations of Naga youth, Jamir said that having grown up in an India emerging as a global power, Naga youth were more inclined towards peace, stability and development than ideological battles of the past.
Jamir said people longed for peace and progress, which provided a unique opportunity for New Delhi to secure a lasting solution.
On the way forward, he called for the creation of a conducive environment where Nagas accepted that their future was tied with that of India. He urged the Centre to adopt an inclusive approach ensuring equal opportunities for Nagaland to participate in the nation’s growth.
Reminding that Nagas must adapt to changing times, he remarked “We may not be able to change the direction of the wind, but we can always adjust our sails.”
Nagaland commissioner, Gregory Thejawhelie, spoke on the topic, “Military-Civil Convergence in Nagaland: Building Robust Institutions for Stability, Development and Governance”, while Youth Resources and Sports (YR&S) director, Kethosituo Sekhose, spoke on the topic “Joining Hands in Promoting Sports and Cultural Integration”.
Earlier, opening remarks were made by Deputy IG AR (N), Brig Samir K Palande.
Other resource persons included Rendemo Shitio, assistant manager (R&C), NSDMA, Er Imnameren, Executive Engineer, PWD and Dr Mereninla Senlem, principal director, Dept of Health & Family Welfare.
The seminar has brought together senior Assam Rifles officers, civil authorities and community leaders to deliberate on security, governance, youth empowerment and development synergy in Nagaland, with the aim of strengthening understanding and identifying pathways for peace, progress and cooperation between the military and civil society.
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