"Muivah missed Opportunity... Jamir can best speak on Naga issue" : M Chuba Ao

Nirendra Dev *

BJP national vice president M Chuba Ao said on Sunday that despite his political differences with veteran Dr S C Jamir, he was always touched by former CM's "words of wisdom and frankness".

"We all are fortunate to have Shri S C Jamir around at this age and it was a wonderful experience to listen to Jamir's speech on Oct 29 during Nagaland Assembly function," Chuba told this journalist.

He said: "Who can tell us better about Nagaland and the people's struggle than Shri Jamir? In politics, I always stuck to the BJP and our respected elder brother, philosopher and guide Chubatoshi Jamir has been with the Congress for decades".

"However, irrespective of our political differences - I must say - personally I have always been touched by his words of wisdom, frankness and personal affection," he said.

Chuba said: "It is true Nagaland came as the first instance of a state created through political agreement. It was no small thing but how have the people treated it ?

"The Telangana movement is also very old - but all of us know - the Telangana region as a geographical and political entity was born only on June 2, 2014 as the 29th state. "Contrast to that - Nagaland is the 16th state of the Indian Union," he remarked.

Answering questions, Chuba said -- "Let us come to the political stage of 2024. As the Oct 29th function took place at Kohima I was wondering -- did not another veteran Naga leader - Thuingaleng Muivah - miss an opportunity. So did our MLAs and ministers".

"Had the two Peace Pacts as agreed by stakeholders in 2015 and 2017 given a concrete shape -- I can bet this solemn occasion would have been much sweeter. One young MLA from Mokokchung district called me that day and I told him - "You all missed the real bus".

To another question, he said, "PM Shri Narendra Modi ji is very sincere about his Act East policy. and we all know that the Solution to the Naga issue is a primary element in it".

"But we the people have not done justice to this opportunity and I tell you - we have been absolutely wrong in delaying the talks. Let us not blame anyone; but let us look forward with a vision to make a sacrifice and engage among ourselves with a sense of give and take," he advocated.

Chuba Ao also stated: "Every community has a history and legacy; but it is always wise to move ahead. The world itself is a global village these days. And hence to link any people's movement with parochialism or linguistic or religious and territorial division is something unwarranted".

He said: "Even today or beyond that is - December 2024 or January 2025 ... if the final Solution Agreement is signed; people will remember the occasion. The Nagas will cherish the moment".