Naga Leader Thuingaleng Muivah Receives Grand Reception in Manipur
After a gap of five decades, NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah returned to his native village in Manipur, drawing thousands of Naga people for a historic and emotional homecoming. The 91-year-old leader, a key figure in the Naga political movement and peace negotiations, was welcomed with traditional fanfare, reflecting the enduring respect and admiration he commands among the Naga community.
Ukhrul (Manipur)/Agartala Oct 22: A massive crowd of Naga people, including women and children, gave a heartfelt reception to NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah on Wednesday at Ukhrul, the district headquarters of Manipur.
The 91-year-old Naga leader, who also serves as the Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM), returned to his birthplace, Somdal village, for the first time in 50 years.
Thousands of Nagas from across the region, dressed in traditional attire and waving NSCN-IM flags, greeted Muivah when his helicopter landed at Bakshi Ground, arriving from Dimapur in Nagaland. From there, he was escorted to a specially prepared stage for a grand ceremonial reception.
Men from the Naga community, many carrying traditional spears and wearing customary headgear, thronged the venue to welcome the veteran leader. Muivah has played a pivotal role in the Naga peace talks with the Union government, especially after the NSCN-IM declared a ceasefire in 1997.
The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), an influential Naga body, coordinated the arrangements for Muivah’s much-awaited visit to Ukhrul. Senior NSCN-IM leaders accompanied him, and the entire Tangkhul Naga community was visibly excited to receive one of the most prominent figures in Naga history back in his homeland.
R.S. Jollyson, Vice President of TNL and Co-Convener of the Organising Committee, oversaw the preparations for the reception. “This occasion is not just a leader’s return home; it is the return of history itself, reaffirming the collective spirit and unity of the Naga people,” Jollyson told the media.
Across Ukhrul and Senapati districts, including Somdal, local residents and various organisations decorated the area with posters, banners, and gates welcoming Muivah, who had left his village more than five decades ago to join the Naga movement. Village authorities, youth groups, student associations, civil society bodies, and the church collaborated to ensure the success of the visit.
The Tangkhul Nagas, the largest Naga tribe in Manipur, were at the forefront of the celebrations. Following the vibrant reception at Ukhrul, Muivah traveled about 25 kilometers to his native Somdal village, where a helipad has been constructed for his arrival. Officials confirmed that he is expected to stay in Somdal for around a week before returning to Dimapur via Senapati on October 29.
Unlike his earlier visit to Ukhrul in 2010, which faced opposition from some groups and the then state government due to security concerns, this time Muivah’s visit has been welcomed without objection.
Born in 1934, Muivah is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the contemporary Naga political movement. His visit has also been acknowledged by organizations representing Kuki, Zomi, and Meitei communities in Manipur.
The Naga-inhabited districts in Manipur include Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Noney, and Senapati, all bordering Nagaland and Myanmar.
Muivah’s return comes at a sensitive time, as Manipur continues to recover from the ethnic violence in May 2023 between non-tribal Meiteis and Kuki-Zo tribal groups, which claimed over 260 lives and displaced nearly 70,000 people. The unrest caused widespread damage to government and private properties, including religious establishments, across 10 districts. Following months of instability, President’s Rule was imposed on February 13, shortly after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. (With inputs from IANS)
