Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Kohima: NSCN-IM leaders V.S. Atem and R.H. Raising pulled back their September 16 comments regarding former Nagaland chief minister S.C. Jamir. The retraction arrived October 6, meeting a 15-day ultimatum set by the Ao Senden. This apex group for the Ao Naga tribe had threatened its own course of action if the leaders failed to comply.
The conflict started after Jamir met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in New Delhi on September 10. Jamir pushed for a swift political settlement to the long-standing Naga issue. Atem hit back shortly after, questioning Jamir’s authority to weigh in on the matter. He claimed the former governor did not represent the Naga people.
The Ao Senden intervened. The group argued that the Naga political issue belongs to no single faction. They maintained that individual citizens must be free to voice their opinions despite decades of political friction. The formal retraction signed by Lt. Gen. V.S. Atem and R.H. Raising attempted to clear the air.
"If our comments on 16th September 2026 on Dr. S.C. Jamir have hurt the sentiment of the Ao Senden, it was never meant to do so and therefore, we do retract it forthright," the declaration stated. Both men serve in high-ranking NSCN-IM roles. Atem acts as deputy ato kilonser, while Raising serves as a steering committee member and special emissary.
Negotiations between the NSCN-IM and the Centre have stalled. The sides signed a ceasefire in 1997 and a Framework Agreement in 2015. A final peace deal remains out of reach. Key demands for a separate constitution, a unique Naga flag, and the integration of Naga-inhabited territories remain the main points of contention.
Updated at 7th October 2026 at 10:30pm
The Ao Senden officially accepted the retraction on October 7. This resolution followed a private meeting on October 3 where an NSCN-IM delegation expressed regret to the tribal body. The apex group made it clear that while they accepted the move, they remain vigilant and reserve the right to act if further friction occurs.
In a formal statement, the Ao Senden pushed for discipline and wisdom among tribal leadership. They emphasized the need for a unified front and maintained that no faction possesses the authority to silence a Naga citizen. The group now calls on all parties to move past the feud in a spirit of mutual respect.
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