Response to a Recent Statement by S.C. Jamir

What S.C. Jamir said is not entirely wrong, but it reflects a misunderstanding, or perhaps a deliberate misrepresentation, of the deeper truth. When he claims that the Nagas of Manipur and other regions are not indigenous to Nagaland, he is stating something that no Naga has ever contested.

It is an absolute truth: no Naga or tribe from outside the present state of Nagaland can be considered an indigenous inhabitant of that state. The truth is self-evident. Every Naga community is indigenous to its own ancestral land, whether that land lies in Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, or even across the border in Myanmar. Each belongs to its own hills, its own soil, and its own heritage. No one is trying to encroach upon or claim another’s land.

S.C. Jamir is indeed a tall political figure, a signatory to the 16-Point Agreement and one who has long played a significant role in India’s political framework. However, it must be acknowledged that he speaks today from the perspective of the Indian state, not from the spirit of the Naga national cause. He has chosen India’s side, and that is his personal conviction and right.

What is concerning, however, is the tone and intent behind his recent statement. In a video circulating online, Jamir referred to the “Nagas of Manipur” as “Manipuris,” using words that many Nagas in the south found dismissive and even provocative. Whether this stems from his personal resentment toward the Southern Nagas, or his old political rivalry with Th. Muivah, one cannot say for certain. But what is clear is that such language, divisive and condescending, is unbecoming of a respected elder statesman. Instead of healing wounds, it risks deepening the divide among our people.

When Jamir asks why the Nagas from other regions did not integrate with Nagaland after its creation, he overlooks a crucial truth. The formation of the state of Nagaland under the Indian Union was never the fulfilment of the collective Naga dream, it was, in fact, a compromise. For many Nagas, it symbolized not unity, but fragmentation. It offered limited administrative recognition to the Nagas within the new state, yes, but it came at the cost of the larger aspiration for sovereignty and national unity. Those within the newly formed state found relative peace and opportunity, but those outside, in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal, and Myanmar, they were left under different political systems, often facing neglect, discrimination, and suppression.

Thus, the creation of Nagaland, while significant, also weakened the Naga movement by dividing the people it was meant to unite. Yet, despite this, the struggle for identity, dignity, and self-determination continued and still continues.

The Nagas from outside Nagaland who migrated to the state in its early years did so not to claim indigeneity, nor to take what belonged to others. They came seeking safety, livelihood, and kinship, among their own people. Their presence in Nagaland is not an invasion; it is a reflection of shared heritage and brotherhood.

So yes, the Nagas of Manipur or other areas are not indigenous to the state of Nagaland. But they are unquestionably indigenous to their own Naga ancestral lands, whether in Manipur, Arunachal, Assam, or Myanmar.

Let us remember: Nagaland was born from the shared struggle of all Nagas, not the other way around. The foundation of Nagaland rests upon the sacrifices, hopes, and blood of Nagas from every region. We must stop using administrative boundaries to insult one another, and instead speak with understanding and respect. Words can heal or divide, and at this stage in our shared history, we need healing more than ever.

May truth prevail, and may unity return among all Naga people. God bless you all. 

Kuknalim! 🙏

~ Ambrose FreeBird

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