GUWAHATI: A momentous occasion awaits Manipur’s Ukhrul district as Thuingaleng Muivah prepares for his long-anticipated return to his native village, Somdal, on October 22. This visit comes 15 years after the Manipur government previously blocked his attempts to return home.
A wave of profound emotion and excitement is sweeping through Somdal and the wider Ukhrul district. Residents are eagerly preparing to welcome the 90-year-old general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) – a figure they haven’t seen since he departed in 1970 to champion the cause of an independent Naga homeland.
Known more commonly as NSCN (I-M), or the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, this influential group has maintained a ceasefire with the Central government since 1997.
“The long-awaited homecoming of Avakharar (Mr. Muivah’s honorific in the Tangkhul dialect) to Ukhrul and his birthplace, Somdal, brings immense joy to every Tangkhul soul,” stated Epchan Kapai, chairman of the Tangkhul Naga Zingtun Longphang (TNZL). “We extend a warm welcome with open hearts and offer prayers for his continued good health and safety.”
The TNZL represents the Tangkhul community residing in the northern regions, spanning both Ukhrul and Kamjong districts of Manipur. The term ‘Zingtun’ itself signifies ‘north’.
Echoing this sentiment, A. Nathan, chairman of the primary organization for the southern (Zingsho) Tangkhul community, remarked, “We have ceaselessly prayed for this day. Under his unwavering leadership, the Naga movement found its direction, dignity, and resolute determination. His sacrifices and profound service to the Naga people are truly unparalleled.”
Wungpam L. Shimray, chairman of the leading community body for the eastern (Ato) Tangkhul region, added, “This historic visit will be cherished as one of the most precious and auspicious moments, not only for the Tangkhul region but for all Nagas.” Sophayo Siro, representing the western (Aze) Tangkhul people, shared similar sentiments of profound joy and respect.
Once Manipur’s Most Wanted
In the 1970s, as the influential general secretary of the underground Naga National Council (NNC), which advocated for an independent Naga-inhabited homeland in the northeast, Mr. Muivah was Manipur’s most sought-after individual. The bounty for his capture was significantly increased multiple times from its original sum of ₹1,00,000.
Following disagreements with other NNC leaders after the 1975 Shillong Accord, Mr. Muivah left the council. In January 1980, he co-founded the NSCN with Isak Chishi Swu and S.S. Khaplang.
Both Swu and Khaplang have since passed away, in June 2016 and June 2017, respectively.
A divergence in approach towards dialogue with the Indian government led to a rift between Mr. Muivah and Khaplang, resulting in the formation of two distinct factions within the NSCN: the Isak-Muivah faction and the Khaplang faction.
Even as the NSCN (I-M) entered peace negotiations with the central government, a persistent issue was Mr. Muivah’s inability to return to his village, Somdal, despite other leaders of the group facing no such prohibitions.
Although his primary residence in India has been Dimapur, Nagaland – a mere 160 km northwest of Somdal – the journey home proved consistently challenging. This became particularly pronounced after June 14, 2001, when the Manipur government and various local organizations fiercely opposed the Centre’s move to broaden the ceasefire with the NSCN (I-M).
The proposed ceasefire extension aimed to encompass Naga-inhabited territories in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Manipur, in addition to Nagaland. However, non-Naga communities in Manipur perceived this as a grave threat to their state’s territorial integrity, fearing it would pave the way for the ‘Greater Nagalim’ concept championed by the NSCN (I-M).
Widespread protests, including the burning of the Manipur Assembly building and other government offices in Imphal, along with over a dozen fatalities from police firing, compelled the Centre to revert to the original ceasefire agreement, excluding the expanded scope.
Another significant standoff occurred in 2010 when Manipur’s then-Congress government denied Mr. Muivah entry into the state via the Nagaland border. This confrontation tragically resulted in the deaths of six people.
Notably, his upcoming visit, announced on October 10, has so far been met with no public opposition, signaling a potentially new chapter for the veteran leader’s long-awaited return.