Meitei Leepun Welcomes NSCN(IM) Chief Thuingaleng Muivah's Historic Return to Manipur After 50 Years

Thuingaleng Muivah, the 91-year-old leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), has returned to his ancestral village in Manipur after a 50-year absence.

The Meitei Leepun (ML) organization issued a statement on Wednesday describing this homecoming as "a moment of deep emotional and historical significance for the people of Manipur."

In the statement signed by ML chief M Pramot Singh, the group expressed: "We warmly welcome the visit of Thuingaleng Muivah - not only a respected leader of the Naga people but an inspirational and visionary figure admired across communities - to his village and his motherland, Manipur."

The ML praised authorities for making what they called "a wise and compassionate decision" in allowing the elderly insurgent leader to visit his ancestral village in Somdal, located in Manipur's Ukhrul district.

This visit marks a significant shift from 2010 when Muivah last attempted to return to his village but was prevented from entering Manipur by the Congress government under then-Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, causing tensions in the region.

Recently hospitalized for routine health checkups, Muivah heads the NSCN(IM), recognized as the largest insurgent group in northeast India. In 2015, the organization signed a Framework Agreement with the central government, which was celebrated as a major breakthrough with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Muivah, and numerous officials and NSCN(IM) members participating in the ceremony.

The ML statement highlighted Muivah's historical importance: "Muivah has long been recognized as a leader who stood firm for the land and its people, guiding generations through the struggles and transitions that shaped our region - from the colonial era to the post-Independence period. His life's journey reflects conviction, identity, and the awakening of indigenous consciousness."

The organization expressed hope that this visit would strengthen brotherhood between Nagas and Meiteis, promote mutual understanding, facilitate trustful dialogue, and reaffirm a collective commitment to peace, unity, and coexistence in Manipur.

"The beauty of Manipur lies in its diversity, and our shared future depends on preserving that diversity with dignity and respect... Every son of the soil deserves a heartfelt welcome and gratitude. Let every community stand together for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Manipur," the ML statement concluded.

While Meitei Leepun describes itself as a socio-cultural organization, it has faced allegations of attacking members of the Kuki tribes during the ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023. The group has consistently denied these allegations.

In July 2023, the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) filed a formal complaint against ML leader Pramot Singh, accusing him of inciting hostility between ethnic groups.