“This is to inform all citizens of Nagaland, and beyond that through the grace of God I continue to maintain a very good health,” said the 91-year-old S C Jamir, Nagaland Chief Minister, for five terms. In a 49-second video posted on social media and local TV channels, the political stalwart and a protagonist of nationalism in the insurgency-stricken region said, “It is most unfortunate that there are some people who are spreading canard about me, which is false”. “However, may God bless them to carry out such canards if they desire to,” he said. The veteran leader also served as Governor of Goa and Odisha and was one of the early Naga parliamentarians. Jamir, who enjoys a good personal rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their intimacy during his stint as Governor of Gujarat only for five months, has served under first Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru as well. A seasoned Congressman nowadays spends most of his time in his Chumukeidma residence near Dimapur with his wife.
In fact, before the spread of the concocted fake news, on Nov 13, it was a typical day for Jamir. He even spoke to a few friends and this journalist over the phone and generally enquired about electioneering in Gujarat. “I propose to visit Delhi during winter session of parliament Dev…,” he said. Jamir also posted a brief video of quotes to some associates on social media wherein an illustrious thinker speaks about ‘ants’ and how two varieties of ants can stay alongside a jar until an external force shakes the jar. And when I told him that the video was quite apt and had a universal value, Jamir said, “Is not the situation almost similar in Nagaland? that’s how these quotes are so relevant”. Jamir has survived attempts on his life more than once, including one in November 2002 in Delhi’s 29 APJ Abdul Kalam Nagaland House. Often he pens articles on contemporary Naga politics and the ongoing peace parleys. He is well known for his hardline views on specific issues and is a strong proponent of statehood for Nagaland and for upholding Article 371 (A).
Jamir is the only surviving leader among Nagas who inked the Statehood pact — commonly known as the 16 Point Agreement of 1960. Only after inking this pact, Nagaland became the 16th state of the Indian union. Commenting on his relationship and understanding with PM Modi, Jamir told this scribe in November 2021, “We had a very good relationship though I was there only for five months. We were good friends. When I became Governor of Gujarat in 2009, I told him, I am an ex-Chief Minister so I know the responsibility of a Chief Minister. So as Governor I will never interfere. My role would come only when you trespass on the constitution. I myself never liked Governor to interfere, so I never interfered “In the past, too, Jamir had to dispel rumours about his health conditions at least twice.
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