Imphal, Oct 22 (NationPress) A grand reception unfolded in Manipur's Ukhrul district as thousands of Naga individuals, comprising women and children, warmly welcomed NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah on Wednesday. This nonagenarian leader, who also serves as the Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM), made a momentous visit to his birthplace, Somdal village, after a remarkable 50 years.

The reception was marked by thousands of Nagas from diverse backgrounds, adorned in traditional clothing and waving NSCN-IM flags, who gathered to greet Muivah upon his helicopter's arrival at Bakshi Ground in the district headquarters, coming from Nagaland’s Dimapur.

Following his landing, he proceeded to a stage specifically arranged for this grand occasion.

A large number of Naga men, brandishing traditional spears and donning customary headdresses, were present to welcome Muivah, a pivotal figure in the ongoing Naga peace negotiations with the Union government since the NSCN-IM's ceasefire initiation in 1997.

The arrangements for this eagerly awaited visit were organized by the influential Naga organization Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), highlighting the significance of Muivah's return to Ukhrul district.

During his time in Somdal village, which marks his first visit since committing to the Naga movement five decades prior, Muivah is anticipated to stay for about a week.

Accompanying him were several senior NSCN-IM leaders, and the entire Tangkhul Naga community is buzzing with excitement, celebrating the return of a figure who has long been a cornerstone of Naga history.

R.S. Jollyson, the Vice President of TNL and Co-Convener of the Organizing Committee, oversaw the elaborate arrangements for this celebratory reception. He stated, “This occasion signifies not just the return of a leader, but the rekindling of our collective spirit and unity as Naga people.”

Welcoming Muivah, local residents and various organizations have decorated Ukhrul and Senapati districts, including Somdal village, with posters, festive gates, and displays honoring the 91-year-old NSCN-IM leader, who left his village for the Naga cause over fifty years ago.

Village authorities in Tangkhul Naga-dominated areas, alongside youth and student groups, civil society organizations, and the influential church, are working in unison to ensure the success of Muivah's visit.

The Tangkhul Nagas represent the largest Naga tribe in Manipur. After the vibrant reception at Ukhrul district headquarters, Muivah proceeded to Somdal village, located approximately 25 kilometers away.

A government source indicated that a helipad has been constructed in Somdal for the esteemed Naga leader's arrival, who is expected to stay there for a week before departing for Dimapur via Manipur’s Senapati district on October 29.

Muivah's last visit to Ukhrul district in 2010 faced opposition from certain groups and the then-state government due to security concerns, but this time, there are no objections.

Born in 1934, Muivah's name is deeply intertwined with the modern Naga political movement, establishing him as one of the most powerful and influential leaders among the Naga populace.

Additionally, various organizations from the Kuki, Zomi, and Meitei communities in Manipur have expressed their support for Muivah's visit.

Of Manipur’s 16 districts, the Naga-inhabited regions include Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Noney, and Senapati, all situated along the borders with Nagaland and Myanmar.

Muivah's highly anticipated visit occurs amidst Manipur's ongoing recovery from ethnic violence between the non-tribal Meiteis and Kuki-Zo tribal groups that erupted in May 2023.

The conflict has resulted in over 260 fatalities from both communities and displaced around 70,000 individuals, alongside widespread destruction of both government and private properties, including religious sites, across 10 of Manipur’s 16 districts.

In response to the ongoing unrest, President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, just days after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned.