Governor of Goa S. C. Jamir escaped unhurt when his 30-vehicle convoy was ambushed at 11 kilometers away from Changki village towards Mariani under Mokokchung district. There were nine Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted in the ambush area. There were six explosions while three of the IEDs remained unexploded. This is the fourth time that an assassination attempt has been made on the life of Jamir. He was traveling to Dimapur from Mokokchung, and was also accompanied by his wife Alemla Jamir.

According to reports, unidentified gunmen fired at the convoy and the personal security escorting Jamir retaliated immediately and in the exchange of fire, a security man was injured. “Mr. Jamir appeared unruffled by the attack and directed his convoy to keep proceeding”, DC Mokokchung R. Lotha said. Later Jamir reached Dimapur and took the flight out to Kolkata.

This is the fourth time Jamir has a providential escape since 1993 when he was seriously wounded in an attack at Nagaland House, New Delhi. Another abortive attempt on his life was made in Kohima town in 1995. In 1999, he escaped once again an ambush carried out at a place 30-kms from Kohima. Two members of his personal security were killed in the attack. Meanwhile, the shell of an unexploded two-inch mortar was also recovered at the site. Police also recovered a modified 303 rifle with ten live rounds. No casualties were reported except for projectiles let off by the explosion causing a minor injury to an APSI of the 9 IRB in the convoy. The Assam Rifles, who were the first to rush to the scene, detonated the unexploded IEDs.

In this connection, Mangkolenba Police Station has registered case No.008/07 under section 307 IPC R/W Section 5 Explosive Substance Act and Section 7/8 NSR Act. Police sources at Mokokchung added that all out efforts are being made to unearth the motive and identity of the miscreants. Personnel from the Nagaland Police, Assam Rifles, the India Reserve Battalion and the Central Reserve Police Force started a combing operation in the area to nab the attackers.

Meanwhile, the youths of Ungma village called a bandh along NH 61. However, the Ungma Village Council persuaded the youths to suspend the bandh for time being.

CLP demands Article 356 

Following the attack on Jamir, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) strongly condemned the dastardly attack on the life of the Governor of Goa and observed that that the attack was due to the complete failure on the part of the State Government to provide adequate protection to one of the highest profile governors of India. The CLP resolved to strongly move the Governor of Nagaland to promulgate Article 356 of the Constitution of India and to exercise the special powers of the Governor of Nagaland under Article 371 (A) Clause B.

“In spite of the fact that S.C. Jamir has been under threat because of the ban imposed on him by the NSCN (IM) to enter Nagaland and in spite of the fact that he is in the Z-Plus Category of the threat perception, the State Government has totally failed to protect him”, Leader of Opposition and CLP Leader I. Imkong said in a statement.

On hearing of the ambush, the CLP held an emergency meeting wherein the members condemned the “dastardly” attack in the strongest terms and at the same time, thanked God for saving the life of S.C. Jamir through divine intervention and providence.

And in view of what the Congress termed as “total breakdown of law and order and failure in all fronts in the State where the common people and the VIPs are no more safe” and taking into account the weakness of the State Government in protecting its people and its leaders where killings have become an everyday affair, the Congress Legislature Party resolved to demand imposition of President’s Rule (PR)

Ungma ready to ‘go to any extent’  

Holding the NSCN (IM) responsible for the fourth assassination bid on the life of Goa Governor S. C. Jamir’s life, the Ungma Senso telongjems of Dimapur and Kohima have resolved to ‘go any extent’ till justice is served. The organizations have lamented that the NSCN-IM continues to resort to cowardly acts, in spite of appeals from the Naga society.

The two unions have vehemently condemned what was sharply slammed as the dastardly attempt on the life Dr. SC Jamir. The unions reminded that this is the fourth time the NSCN (IM) is attempting to assassinate him, thereby blatantly “undermining the ongoing Ceasefire with the Government of India.”

“The Ungma Senso Telongjem Dimapur and Kohima jointly condemn vehemently the dastardly life attempt on Dr. SC Jamir, His Excellency the Governor of Goa by NSCN (IM) on November 24, 2007. It is also pertinent to mention that this is the fourth time the NSCN (IM) is attempting to assassinate S. C. Jamir, thereby blatantly undermining the ongoing Ceasefire with the Govt. of India” a joint response from the unions stated.

The two organizations strongly stated that in spite of fervent appeals from various sections of the Naga society, the NSCN (IM) chooses to disregard the same by resorting to cowardice acts. This is a deterrent to any peaceful atmosphere and thereby overlooking the interest of the entire Naga Society, it stated. “Therefore, under such circumstances the union firmly resolved to go to any extend till befitting justice is done” the unions made clear.

‘All necessary security measures were taken’

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