The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) and Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) have called for democratic dialogue and public debate over the recent discussion surrounding former Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr SC Jamir’s views on the Naga political issue.

The AKM said if Jamir had expressed views on the Naga political issue, those views were open to questioning, disagreement and scrutiny. However, it said questioning his views should not be equated with questioning his right to speak.

“If every Naga has the freedom to express an opinion on the Naga political issue, then every Naga must equally have the freedom to question, challenge and seek clarification on such opinions,” the AKM stated.

It said no individual or organisation should claim exclusive ownership of the right to discuss the political future of the Naga people.

In a statement issued by Lanulemba Longchar, President, and Aomayang Longkumer, General Secretary, the AKM further stated that if any statement was considered factually or historically incorrect, the concerned parties should place the facts, records and reasons before the Naga public.

“The answer to a disputed political view should be another well-reasoned view, not an attempt to silence the speaker,” it said.

The student body maintained that the Naga political issue concerned every Naga and therefore must remain open to public discussion. It said every Naga had the democratic right to express an opinion, question a position, disagree with a view or seek clarification.

Differences of opinion, it added, should not be met with intimidation or condemnation, but with dialogue, reasoned debate and mutual respect.

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Meanwhile, the OKM said recent allegations and claims against Jamir, an experienced Naga political leader, regarding his statements on the Naga political issue had deeply disturbed the organisation.

The OKM said every individual had the right to freedom of speech and expression as a Naga and an Indian citizen. It said Jamir’s utterances on Naga political matters reflected his personal opinions and beliefs and maintained that his statements were not intended to cause harm.

In a statement issued by Tongpangmangyang Kichu, President, and Sungkumjang Kichu, General Secretary, the OKM termed as “uncalled-for and unacceptable” the NSCN-IM’s statements branding Jamir as someone who was “not mandated and authorized” and merely “talking for the sake of barking”, along with assertions that he was “not an advocate of the Naga people” and had “no right to talk about the issues of the Naga people”.

Such remarks should not be taken lightly, the OKM said, adding that any Naga citizen with an understanding of the Naga political landscape had every right to contribute views towards advancing the prolonged political process.

The OKM said the “war of words, accusations, and counter-allegations” would yield no positive outcome and would instead weaken unity and foster deeper divisions among the Nagas.

It urged all stakeholders pursuing a peaceful settlement to work diligently towards a timely and honourable political solution.

The OKM also reaffirmed its full support for the statements and directives issued by the Ao Senden and the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), and said it would remain vigilant and responsive to further developments on the matter.