Illustration by P. Manivannan
In an interview with Ananya Dutta, senior Congress
leader S. C. Jamir, who has served as the Chief Minister of Nagaland for
more than ten years, says any solution to the Naga problem should be
within the Indian constitution.
What are the main issues in the upcoming elections?
This
election is a watershed in the lives of the Naga people. For the last
ten years, the people witnessed a complete derailment of governance
under the Naga People’s Front. You will find that security of life and
property are completely absent. The rule of law, which is the bedrock of
democratic society, is not at all visible in Nagaland.
It
is sad that an elected government under the Constitution of India is
being run through remote control by the secessionist groups.
Would you say that there is peace in the State today, after 15 years of ceasefire?
The
way the ceasefire is being observed is a paradox. What does ceasefire
mean? Cessation of hostilities in any form; killing is not the only
form. Extortion, intimidation and kidnapping are also violations of
ceasefire. But they continue.
There has been
complete chaos because neither the law enforcing agencies nor the civil
authority can exercise their legal and constitutional obligations for
the maintenance of law and order.
The main reason why
the Naga political problem has lingered for so long is that the Centre
is suspicious and mistrustful of the Neiphiu Rio government.
What about the issue of integration of Naga areas in the neighbouring states?
This
is not possible now. In a democratic society, you must try to win the
goodwill of the people of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. But they
went with armed cadres, set up camps, threatened them and frightened
them. So Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh said we will not part with
an inch of land. Without land how will you have your integration?