Kohima: NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon fired a shot at veteran Congressman Dr. SC Jamir on September 17. He branded the former Chief Minister an old man in a hurry. The remark came during a party event in Chumoukedima celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday. Kikon drew a parallel to a 1997 political jab by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda.
The criticism followed Jamir’s September 10 meeting with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. In that meeting, Jamir suggested the NDA government should place Nagaland under President's Rule. Kikon blasted this as careless and unbecoming of a seasoned leader. He argued that Jamir has long been a roadblock to peace. Kikon cited old reports from the late Vamuzo and K. Therie that labeled Jamir an obstacle to negotiations.
Kikon brought up historical documents to bolster his case. He referenced a letter where Jamir allegedly called Prime Minister Nehru’s willingness to meet AZ Phizo a political blunder. The NPF leader also slammed Jamir’s booklet, Bedrock of Naga Society, for claiming statehood was the final settlement. Kikon insisted that statehood left out vital groups. He stated, "For us, an honourable, inclusive, acceptable solution still awaits."
The NPF secretary mocked Jamir’s past equi-distance policy. He claimed the 2003 Neiphiu Rio government replaced it with equi-closeness to treat all Nagas as one family. Kikon also questioned K. Therie’s political flip-flopping. Therie once called Jamir an obstacle in 2002 but now labels him the tallest Naga leader. Kikon warned veterans against spreading tall tales to the youth who did not live through the conflict.
Updated at 18th September 2026 at 10:00am
Kikon fleshed out his historical attack by citing a specific letter he claims Jamir sent to the then chief executive councillor of Nagaland, P. Shilu Ao. According to Kikon, the document shows Jamir feared a meeting between Nehru and Phizo would undermine the existing agreement between the Naga People’s Convention and the central government. Kikon also brought up former Chief Minister Hokishe Sema as another veteran who had previously categorized Jamir as a political obstacle.
The NPF leader also poked holes in the theory that statehood closed the book on the Naga issue. He pointed to the 1964 ceasefire signed with the NNC/FGN as evidence that New Delhi recognized the process was far from complete. Addressing the political flip-flopping of K. Therie, Kikon referenced a June 10, 2002, media report from the public archives that explicitly recorded Therie calling Jamir the main barrier to peace, contrasting that past stance with his current praise for the former Chief Minister.
Updated at 19th September 2026 at 1:48am
K Therie shot back at the NPF, doubling down on his call for President's Rule. He dismissed the NPF's demand for new committees or a fresh interlocutor as a stall tactic, arguing that negotiations effectively ended six years ago. Therie maintained that the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position provide enough room to iron out the details without starting over.
The former Congress leader defended Dr. SC Jamir, crediting him with convincing Rajiv Gandhi to offer unconditional talks in 1991. Therie also took aim at the NPF's 23-year record, accusing the party of fueling lawlessness and using Naga groups to manipulate the political process under the guise of their equi-closeness policy. He challenged the state government to produce the formal notification for its proposed Apex Committee, suggesting the center had already rejected the Chief Minister's bid for a new interlocutor.
Updated at 19th September 2026 at 9:47am
Therie dropped a new accusation, claiming the NPF avoids a final settlement because they believe the NSCN (I-M) boosts their electoral prospects. He alleged the party has effectively merged with insurgent interests, using various factions to muzzle stakeholders and rot the state government from within.
The former Congress leader also took a swipe at the regional demographics of the NPF, charging that the party represents Nagas living outside the state more than the actual residents of Nagaland. He pointedly remarked that those living outside the state already have their own representatives to handle their affairs.
Responding to the NPF's criticism of Dr. Jamir, Therie snapped back at Achumbemo Kikon, calling it far too early for the secretary general to try and coach a leader of Jamir's stature. He reminded Kikon to mind traditional Naga etiquette regarding seniors and accused him of sucking up to factions instead of protecting the basic rights of state citizens. Therie also explicitly called out the NPF for their silence on comments made by Rh. Raising against Jamir, noting that the former Chief Minister remains the tallest living leader of the state.
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