Mokokchung, September 24 (MExN): The Ungma Senso Mongdang (USM) has announced that the people of Ungma will not “cooperate, engage or honour” the leadership of “any organisation, group, faction or formation” associated with VS Atem and RH Raising, “in any manner whatsoever,” effectively declaring a position of non-cooperation with NSCN (IM).
Lt Gen (Retd) VS Atem is the Deputy Ato Kilonser and Member of the Collective Leadership, NSCN (IM), while RH Raising is the Special Emissary to the Collective Leadership.
In a press release issued on September 24, the apex organisation of Ungma village stated that the position was among five declarations made in response to recent remarks by the duo concerning former Nagaland Chief Minister and Padma Bhushan Dr SC Jamir.
The organisation also said that it “unequivocally” questioned and challenged the statements made by the two NSCN (IM) leaders against Jamir and rejected what it described as the “audacity of non-Nagaland elements” attempting to interfere in and dictate the political affairs and leadership of Nagaland.
Accordingly, it questioned the standing of the duo to challenge the mandate and locus standi of Jamir, “a bonafide indigenous member of a true son of Nagaland, a true son of the soil of Ungma.”Any attempt to “undermine, disrespect or intimidate” respected Naga leaders of Nagaland by outsiders would be met with the “full resistance” of the people, it asserted.
The USM also urged all “Nagas of Nagaland to stand united and defend our birth right.”
Exception to remarks on Jamir
Giving a background to its declaration, the USM said that the duo had reportedly publicly questioned on September 16 Jamir’s mandate to speak on the Naga political issue, saying he had “no right” to speak on the matter.
The USM described the remarks as “insulting”, “provocative” and “disrespectful”, and question the authority of the two leaders to dispute Jamir’s mandate and standing.
The organisation described Jamir, who is also former Governor of many states, as a “statesman” whose contributions to the peace process, constitutional safeguarding of Naga interests, and the unity and integrity of Nagaland were matters of “recorded history”.
Highlights Ungma’s role in Naga political movement
The USM referred to Ungma’s historical role in the Naga political movement, noting that the second Naga People’s Convention was held at Ungma from May 21 to 23, 1958.
It also referred to the Naga political meeting organised by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation at Ungma on August 23, 2025, involving different Naga political groups and civil society organisations (CSOs).
The organisation said the people of Ungma had made sacrifices for the Naga cause and questioned what two leaders had done in comparison.
The USM maintained that the Naga political issue was not the “private property of any individual, faction or armed group,” and that no “self-appointed leader or spokesman” had the authority to silence or discredit a bona fide citizen of Nagaland.
Endorses Ao Senden position
The USM said it stood in solidarity with the ultimatum issued by the Ao Senden on September 23 and appealed to other CSOs to extend similar solidarity.
Ao Senden, the apex organisation of the Ao community, had demanded that the two NSCN (IM) leaders retract their statements within 15 days.
The USM, meanwhile, called upon Naga organisations, citizens and civil society groups to “see through such divisive and opportunistic politics” and stand united against “forces seeking to sow discord among the people.”
Meanwhile, the USM reminded MLA Achumbemo Kikon that he had not witnessed the “struggles and sacrifices” made by earlier generations and should not trade the “birth right” of a bona fide citizen of Nagaland for political mileage based on “half-baked history.”
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