Muivah's Visit :: Centre's intention questionable
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: May 03, 2010 -

General Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the GPRN (Government of People's Republic of Nagalim), Thuingaleng Muivah is scheduled to visit Manipur on May 3, i.e. today and stay for eight days till May 10. The Government of India has permitted him to visit Manipur.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sent the programme schedule of Muivah’s visit to the Home Department of Government of Manipur. According to the schedule, Th Muivah is to visit his native village, Somdal in Phungyar Sub-division in Ukhrul district. He is to visit some other Naga-inhabited places in the state.

The MHA has asked the Director General of Police, Manipur to make necessary security arrangements for the NSCN-IM leader's tour. However, the State Cabinet has taken a decision to ban Th Muivah from coming to Manipur on the ground that the ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM is not in force in Manipur, moreover his visit to the state is likely to disturb peace and communal harmony thereby causing law and order problem.

The state government has intimated the MHA the Cabinet decision. The DGP, Manipur is also reported to have sent a letter to the MHA informing that as per the decision of the State Government not to allow Muivah to come to Manipur, the Police Department couldn't make security arrangement for his visit.

It is learnt that the State Police Department has sent a large police team to Mao gate to prevent Muivah from entering Manipur from Nagaland. The police team led by an Inspector General of Police and a Senior Superintendent of Police is expected to block Muivah's way into the state from Nagaland. It's understood that Muivah will be escorted by Nagaland Police upto the Nagaland-Manipur border, and from there para military forces are expected to take care of his security from post to post.

If the situation at Mao gate turns out to be somewhat difficult to deal with, curfew is likely to be imposed there. However, with the State Government's firm decision to prevent Muivah and his team from stepping on the soil of Manipur, it is expected that the police would carry out their duty without fail. But in case, Muivah is determined to challenge the Manipur Government's order and somehow enter the state's territory, Police won't have any other option but to arrest him and his team.

In that case, the Centre would have to intervene and instruct the State Government to not only release him safely but also escort him upto the state border. Or who knows, the Centre may direct the State Government to take him to his native village, Somdal where he is scheduled to attend a "prayer" meeting. At this moment, we can't say what is going to happen today at Mao gate or on Jessami road in Ukhrul district.

On the other hand, pro-Muivah Nagas of Manipur are upbeat about the planned visit of the NSCN-IM leader to Manipur. Six Naga Independent MLAs have openly welcomed the visit of Muivah. It can't be confirmed whether the Naga MLAs expressed their welcome with heart and soul or half-heartedly, because they themselves are in an uncertain situation as they had been asked to resign from MLA by the Naga bodies, which are pro-NSCN-IM, in connection with their objection to the ADC elections.

If they do not resign, whatever is going to happen to them is not going to be good, the Naga MLAs know. At the same time, reception programmes along with public meetings are being organised at various places in the Naga-inhabited areas where Muivah is scheduled to visit. Meanwhile, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) and many people have expressed concern over the scheduled visit of Muivah to Manipur.

Many feel that Muivah's visit to Manipur is not restricted to returning to his native village and his old home after nearly four/five decades just to get rid of his nostalgia. The general feeling is that he is going to visit Manipur to whip up passions for Naga integration and garner support to the NSCN-IM's political talks with the GoI.

The State Government fears that the consequences of his tour may revisit June 18 of 2001, which Manipur can't afford to witness once again. But what bothers us all is that knowing fully well about the purpose of Muivah's desire to visit Manipur, why did the Centre encourage and permit him to do so. June 18 of 2001 was also clearly a result of the Centre's short-sighted and fool-hardy decision.

Does it want another June 18-like chapter in Manipur? The intention of the Centre is quite suspicious. The State government and the people need to watch out.