The Ungma Senso Mundang, the apex organisation of Ungma village, has strongly condemned the statements made by NSCN-IM leaders VS Atem and RH Raising questioning the mandate and right of former Nagaland Chief Minister and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr SC Jamir to speak on the Naga political issue.

In a press statement, the organisation referred to remarks made by Atem and Raising on September 16, 2026, stating that Jamir was “not mandated and authorized” to speak on the Naga political issue, was “not an advocate of the Naga people” and had “no right” to speak on the issue.

The Ungma Senso Mundang questioned the locus standi of the two NSCN-IM leaders, asserting that the Naga political struggle had historically begun within Nagaland through the sacrifices of Nagas in the State.

It recalled that the historic 2nd Naga People’s Convention was held at Ungma village from May 21 to 23, 1958. It also referred to the Naga Political Meeting comprising different factions and Naga civil society organisations, organised by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation at Ungma on August 23, 2025.

The organisation said hundreds and thousands of people of Ungma had sacrificed for the Naga cause and questioned, “Where were you? What have you done?”

The Ungma Senso Mundang described Dr SC Jamir as a statesman whose contributions to the peace process, constitutional safeguarding of Naga interests, and unity and integrity of Nagaland were matters of recorded history.

It said his voice on the Naga political issue carried the weight of experience, sacrifice and lifelong service. According to the organisation, dismissing his mandate was not only an insult to Jamir personally but also an affront to the people of Nagaland and Ungma in particular.

The organisation maintained that the Naga political issue was not the private property of any individual, faction or armed group but belonged to the Naga people as a whole.

It asserted that no self-appointed leader or spokesman had the authority to silence or discredit any bona fide citizen of Nagaland, adding that the freedom of speech and expression of a “true blood and son of Nagaland” could not be curtailed by any outside element.

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The Ungma Senso Mundang stated that it unequivocally questioned and challenged the statements made by Atem and Raising against Jamir and rejected what it described as attempts by “non-Nagaland elements” to interfere in and dictate the political affairs and leadership of Nagaland.

It further stated that the people of Ungma would not cooperate, engage or honour the leadership of any organisation, group, faction or formation associated with Atem and Raising “in any manner whatsoever”.

The organisation also said that any attempt to undermine, disrespect or intimidate respected Naga leaders of Nagaland by outsiders would be met with the “full resistance” of its people, and urged all Nagas of Nagaland to stand united and defend their “birth right”.

The Ungma Senso Mundang expressed solidarity with the ultimatum served by the Ao Senden on September 23 and appreciated civil society organisations for the solidarity shown. It called upon Naga organisations, citizens and civil society organisations to stand united against what it described as divisive and opportunistic politics.

The organisation also reminded MLA Achumbemo Kikon that he had “not seen the struggles and sacrifices made by our people ahead of us” and urged him not to “trade the birth right of a bona fide citizen of Nagaland for your political mileage” based on what it described as “half-baked history”.