H. Chishi
Members of Manipur People’s Party protest in Imphal on Wednesday against Muivah’s plans to enter the state. Picture by Eastern Projections Viswema,
May 12: The impasse over NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thiungaleng Muivah’s proposed visit to Manipur continued today with the Centre and the outfit remaining firm on their stands.
Union home secretary G.K. Pillai, Centre’s interlocutor R.S. Pandey, Muivah, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, a few of his cabinet ministers and representatives from Naga organisations held a meeting for around one-and-a-half hours in this village, located in Nagaland near the Manipur boundary, where Muivah is staying at present.
Muivah and Pillai declined to speak to reporters after the meeting, but Pandey did say that they would continue to talk to the NSCN (I-M) in a bid to break the stalemate. “We have also conveyed our feelings and I am sure everyone, the NSCN, the civil societies, the governments of Nagaland and Manipur and the Centre — all of us will jointly try to solve the problem as soon as possible,” he said.
Pandey said their visit to Manipur and Nagaland was aimed at building an amicable atmosphere and the government would continue to talk to all concerned so that there was no roadblock from any side. “We will go back to Delhi and discuss the situation further,” he added.
Making a guarded comment on Muivah’s proposed visit to his village Somdal in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, Pandey said the situation was not yet conducive for Muivah’s visit who has a Z+ (highest level) security cover. “His security is very important and the situation has to be conducive for his visit,” he added.
On the ongoing turmoil in the hill and valley districts of Manipur, Pandey said the Centre was closely monitoring the situation. He said Manipur police would be withdrawn from the Mao town area and central paramilitary force deployed to build confidence among the panic-stricken people.
V.S. Atem, the emissary to the collective leadership of the NSCN (I-M), said the talks were free and frank and they had vented their entire frustration upon the Indian representatives. “We have told them in an unequivocal manner that we have come here (Viswema village) and we are going (to Somdal).” He said there was nothing wrong in Muivah visiting his village after four decades and the proposed visit was planned with the Centre in the know. “The government of India, instead of reasoning, has been morally strengthening the government of Manipur by repeatedly going to Manipur and speaking about the humanitarian front,” Atem said.
“When Muivah expressed his desire to go to his village, Delhi was all for it. Then what is the reason for the government of India to go back on his commitment,” Atem said, adding that why should the Centre say the situation was not conductive when NSCN (I-M) had come halfway.
He said the meeting did not discuss lifting of blockades put up by Naga organisations in Manipur. “They might have discussed with the civil societies,” he added.
He said their patience was running out and they would go on their own, adding that there was no reason for Muivah to go back to Camp Hebron, the NSCN (I-M) council headquarters near Dimapur. “We may not wait. If the government of India wants us to deal with Manipur by ourselves, we will do it. We will go,” the NSCN leader said, reiterating the decision of the group.
Reacting to Pandey’s statement over Muivah’s security aspect, he said for them the core issue was not security but the commitment and sincerity of the government of India.
In the morning, Pillai and Pandey called on Governor Nikhil Sharma and Rio to discuss the current situation. Later, they visited the camps of the people who had fled from Mao town and requested them to return.
