Kohima, October 22: Goa Governor and former Chief Minister of Nagaland today maintained that Naga people should recognize the positive contributions of leaders instead of their negative attributes and build a firm foundation for the Naga's land of "our dream".

A highly placed source from Raj Bhavan Panaji, Goa said that Jamir while interacting with a group of Gaon Buras (GBs) from Dimapur district who called on him this morning at Goa Raj Bhavan, said the good things done by Naga leaders like Phizo, Imkongmeren, Zashei Huire, Kughato, Gen Kaito, Muivah, Isak Swu, Khaplang, P.Shilu, Jasokie, Vizol, Hokishe or even SC Jamir should be recognized instead of criticizing them as if they have not contributed anything to the Naga society.

He urged the grass roots level leaders to appreciate the positive contributions that the leaders have made and to downplay whatever human mistakes they might have committed.

Confiding that he can very well imagine why NSCN (IM) surpremo Th Muivah harbours animosity towards him, Jamir narrated an incident which took place in the mid 1980s when he was the Chief Minister and when the first ever effort was made to bring the then undivided NSCN leaders to the negotiating table, stated the source.

"Hollohon was then my Political Advisor and along with Isak Swu's brother Shikato, M Vero, Longrisashi, Pastor Chingam Konyak and several others, we convinced the NSCN leaders including Muivah to come to Nagaland.

The agreement was to let them have their headquarters at Tuensang with a base camp at Tizit.

This was done with the full knowledge of late Indira Gandhi and the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

About 75 NSCN leaders reached Khonsa, and the then Governor of Nagaland General KV Rao and myself headed for Delhi to pave way for the Government of India to meet them.

Unfortunately, the then Union Home Minister SB Chavan and the then Union Home Secretary Pradhan did not realize the opportunity this offered and ordered them to be arrested since they, the NSCN had "kidnapped" 10 persons from Arunachal Pradesh.

I immediately rang up the 3 Corps Commander and also Hollohon to intervene, and somehow the NSCN leaders were released," Jamir said and went on to rue that this effort to bring the Naga leaders to the negotiating table could have been sabotaged by some who did not want the problem to be solved.

I had nothing to do with the arrest and the volte face of the Government of India, but since I was the Chief Minister of Nagaland at that time, Muivah must have thought that I was responsible for it.

I do not blame him because he would not know which leaders at the Centre botched it up.

Hollohon too had to pay a heavy price for this misadventure even though he was not at all responsible for the sabotage," narrated SC Jamir while talking to the Gaon Buras, according to the source.

"When all political parties and NGOs called for the boycott of the 1998 elections at the behest of the NSCN (IM), I stood firm on my ground since I have already taken oath like all former MPs, MLAs and Ministers swearing allegiance to the Constitution of India and that I would stand by my oath like a true Naga.

NSCN(IM) leaders Phungthing Shimrang and VS Atem met me in 1997 to dissuade me from participating in the general elections of 1998.But I told them that as a Naga and as a Christian, I could not go back on my oath and that come what may, I would have to stand by my allegiance to the Constitution of India.

As you know, elections were held and the Congress party swept the polls.

We formed the Government and it was duly recognized by the Election Commission of India and the country.

Some political parties realized their folly only too late.

As a Naga and as a Christian, I stood by my oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India which was taken in the name of the Almighty.

However, I am afraid this principled stand I took had hurt the NSCN leadership and I was branded as 'anti-people' and 'anti-nation'.

They have attempted to assassinate me several times, but by the grace of God, I have survived thus far.

I have a clean conscience and I believe whatever I do, I do it for the welfare and benefit of the people of Nagaland," added the source quoating Jamir.

"They then embarked on a media blitz against the 16-point Agreement and Statehood.

So, in 2000 when I was the President of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, the party brought out a booklet called Bedrock of Naga Society in which arguments were put forth as to how the people of Nagaland have benefited from Statehood, and why Statehood has been one of the best things to have happened to the Naga people so far", the source further quoted SC Jamir.

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