Muivah for mutual understanding to sort out Meetei-Naga differences
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 20 2015: The Meetei-Naga issue should be brought to its conclusion through mutual understanding between the Meeteis and the Nagas.

As their histories are different, their solutions may be different but the two solutions should have a meeting point.

Another third force cannot solve the Meetei-Naga problem.

This was stated by Thuingaleng Muivah, the Ato Kilonser of NSCN (IM) on December 31, the last day of 2014 in a meeting with Chingsubam Wangambi, the leader of Meetei National Front (MNF) and chairperson of Luchingpurel Chingsubam Akaba Ningsing Lup (LUCANIL) and N Tomba, the Executive Editor, Pandam daily.

The meeting was also attended by Mathankhui Zimik, the vice-chairman of R Suisa Trust and Ngasathing, deputy Kilonser, NSCN (IM) .

Thuingaleng Muivah with Ch Wangambi and others

Muivah said that there may be differences between the Meeteis and Nagas but a time will come for a solution.

"We, the Nagas and the Meeteis must determine our own destinies and the right person is needed for this to happen," he said.

Chief Minister Ibobi cannot bring mutual understanding between the Nagas and Meeteis, he added.

Muivah further said that the Meiteis and Nagas are again on the path of mutual understanding and reconciliation due to the efforts of a man like Oja Akaba.

He described Oja Akaba as a man gifted by God.

A framed photograph of the twin statues of love, peace and fraternity of Oja Akaba and Oja Suisa installed at Wakha Leima Ching was presented to Thuingaleng Muivah.

Looking at the photograph, Muivah said that Oja Suisa believed the Meetei-Naga issue will be brought to its conclusion through mutual understanding between Nagas and Meeteis.

Muivah added that the Meeteis and the Nagas will have a meeting point if "we follow the paths of the two leaders." Following the paths of the two leaders who are well aware of the histories of both the Nagas and Meeteis and who respected their rights will do good, he added.

Muivah also stated that it was incredible to find a wise and far sighted man like Oja Akaba amongst the Meeteis.

He said, "we must respect Oja Akaba when we face chaos and confusion" .

It may be remembered that with the firm belief that the peoples of the hills and the plain must unite as they are one and who spent most of his life in the hills, Oja Akaba and Thuingaleng Muivah decided to meet in the early part of 2007 .

However Akaba was suddenly assassinated before the meeting took place and only the family members of Akaba and leaders of MNF met Thuingaleng Muivah on three occasions and on December 31, last year for the fourth time.

Leisemba Sanajaoba, the titular king of Manipur earlier met Muivah in the office chamber of the steering committee of NSCN (IM) at Hebron.

Chingsubam Wangambi the leader of MNF had also met Muivah at Delhi.

On the other hand, it may be noted that the twin statues of Oja Akaba and Oja Suisa will also be installed by R Suisa Trust and LUCANIL at Kulakaphung (Mount of Mirror) at Hongmahn village of Senapati district which is to be unveiled on April 17, 2015 on the death anniversary of Rungsung Suisa.