The Ao Senden has condemned recent remarks by NSCN (IM) leaders V.S. Atem and R.H. Raising questioning former Nagaland Chief Minister Dr SC Jamir’s right to speak on the Naga political issue and has demanded that the statements be retracted within 15 days.

In a statement, the Ao Senden asserted that the vision of sovereignty remained the “sole aim and legitimate aspiration” of the Naga people and maintained that the Naga political issue could not be treated as the sole domain of any individual, group or faction.

Acknowledging differences of opinion and “self inflicted divisions” that have emerged during the Naga political journey, the organisation said such differences should not prevent individual Nagas from expressing their views on the political issue.

The Ao Senden strongly condemned remarks reportedly made by NSCN (IM) Deputy Ato Kilonser VS Atem and Steering Committee member RH Raising on September 16.

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According to the organisation, Atem questioned whether Dr Jamir was an authorised or mandated person to speak on the issue, while Raising stated that Jamir was not an advocate of the Naga people and had no right to speak on the Naga issue.

“Any Naga citizen, who have a grasp of the Naga political scenario can comment and contribute his views to move forward the stagnated political process,” the Ao Senden said.

It, therefore, urged Atem and Raising to retract their statements within 15 days, warning that failure to do so would compel the organisation to take its “own course of action” in the interest of the Nagas.