"Thy name still blooms on lips ... each whispered breeze" :::: Muivah’s proposed visit to native hamlet Somdal ... Harbinger of New Hopes for Naga Political Solution

... "And a garden is a perfect garden when .. all the flowers bloom". 

*****

In common place English - we may say 

"I remember you ...

But in poetry - as they put it - we can say - 

"Thy name still blooms on lips unspoken, 

A vow that lives though long since broken

Each whispered breeze, each twilight hue

Becomes a mirror wrought of you" .

(These emotions may work for someone's first love or even the native village or the place where someone was born.)

North East India's old war horse insurgent leader Thuingaleng Muivah will definitely "remember" his native Somdal village in Manipur with such high emotions. The land - where he was born ! 

There are certain significant things happening around amid all kinds of negativity. These ought to be taken as positive vibes. 

Take for example, the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) now hopes that the "homecoming" of NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah would foster deeper understanding among communities in Manipur and possibly also in the north east. 

Muivah is the fourth of five siblings. His eldest sister and two elder brothers have passed away, while his younger brother, now in his eighties, continues to live in Somdal.  

From the Naga perspective, Muivah’s visit is a reaffirmation of NSCN-IM’s enduring influence in the hill districts. For decades, the NSCN-IM has championed Naga identity, autonomy, and the contentious demand for “Greater Nagalim,” encompassing Naga-inhabited areas across Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. That may be besides the point as of now. 

Well, one can say that the state of Manipur as a whole, and the three segments of the society -- the Meiteis, the Kukis and Nagas -- cannot be seen flirting dangerously with civil unrest. The northeastern region has seen enough of such clashes and enough of so-called ethnic 'cleansing'. 

One is aware of the strong elements of 'us' and 'them' syndromes in the region. Some years back while working on these inherent issues between two and more communities in another northeastern state (not Manipur), I was told by an expert that the 'logic of us and the ideology of others' motivates the root cause of identity politics in the northeast. 

Today, the Nagas and the Meiteis stand together despite tribal-non tribal differences. The Nagas have their own issues with Kukis, and in the past they "could not trust" each other. In the mid-nineties, the Naga-Kuki clashes used to be a nightmare both in Nagaland and in Manipur. 

In 2001, when the Naga ceasefire was extended to parts of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, the Imphal valley burnt for days.

Muivah with Late Isak Chishi Swu 

Born in 1934, Muivah left his native village long back after his education (for few years in Shillong) to join insurgency and has not been able to visit the hamlet since then.

Somdal village headman R V S Phungnang said, “It is one of the happiest moments for me as the village chief that he is coming home. All my fellow villagers share similar sentiments.” 

But there are more to it. That responsibility lies more with the Govt of India to a large extent to make optimum use of the visit to give a rightful and possibly a 'big picture' message. Of course till now the Union Home ministry officials including advisor A K Mishra and Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla - all deserve some credit for doing their part.

The authorities should give early clearance of Muivah's visit if no formal nod has been given yet. 

We all are aware that the Meitei Leepun has said that Muivah is not only a respected leader of the Naga people but an "inspirational and visionary figure" admired across communities. 

“Shri 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”, Meitei Leepun stated. 

In 2001, Imphal valley had burnt for days when Naga ceasefire was extended beyond the geographical boundaries of Nagaland state. In 2010 when P Chidambaram was the Home Minister; Congress chief minister O Ibobi Singh had played the powerful Meitei chauvinistic card and opposed Muivah's visit to Somdal. 

Now that there are 'welcome' statements from multiple ethnic organisations including Meiteis and Kukis - New Delhi should not sit idle. This is a good occasion to direct all the positive vibes towards a long pasting Peace and Solution to the vexed Naga issue. 

Muivah's visit has or will have a series of far-reaching impacts. 

One take away is - This implies Somdal village and Ukhrul district in Manipur are 'very much' part of ethnic Tangkhul Nagas.

This is the place - where Tangkhuls have roots. There should be no misinterpretation nor there is any lapse/shortcoming in that. 

If Ukhrul is accepted as a Naga or Tangkhul home. It is only a positive signal also for Naga unity in the wider canvass of next 50-100 years or more.

So far there was an ironical element attached to Tangkhul Nagas. How much do they belong to the present state of Nagaland ?

Once Somdal is 'accepted' as Muivah's home and other communities including Kukis and Meiteis laying down the red-carpet welcome - one hopes such unwarranted debate will be discarded once and for all.   

The leadership in Delhi will do well to appreciate that generally people of Nagaland and Manipur and also various ethnic bodies have welcomed this proposed visit. 

The Govt of India should be cautious but be also result-oriented and optimistic.

As we see -- there is a "new hope" to end the bitter debate - does Tangkhul Nagas have a sense of belonging to Ukhrul and other Naga regions in the state of Manipur. Over the years these debates were avoided. 

But good statesmanship on the part of New Delhi as well as Naga stakeholders also is to handle the problems by their horns.

Muivah's visit to Somdal is providing this hope. 

"As of now --- New Delhi can easily assure Tangkhul Nagas that they will get their due and legitimate place in their Ukhrul district and numerous villages like Somdal," says one former central government functionary who worked closely with Swaraj Kaushal and K. Padmanabhiah when they were negotiators in the parleys.

Secondly, which is path-breaking is that the other communities in Manipur including Meiteis by welcoming Muivah's village seem to have 'no objection'  for Nagas and Tangkhuls in particular being part of the ethnic cultural mosaic of Manipur.

One analyst says - "Well, no state can thrive with the idea of my only and only ours kind of approach. Manipur is certainly a beautiful garden. 

A veteran Tangkhul Naga Rishang Keishing was chief minister of Manipur and never did he compromise on the interest of Manipur as a state".

"And a garden is a perfect garden when .. all the flowers bloom".  

Now comes another vital part. Maybe the destiny had decided long back that the 'way' to Naga Solution may come through this tiny village called Somdal. 

If someone asks me about the significance of Muivah's visit -- I would say -- "One or two simple take away is that New Avenues are opening up. These must be made use of." 

Hence, the Govt of India should examine these aspects closely and allow trouble-free visit of Muivah - now an aging militant. 

Tangkhul community leaders, former civil servants and other intellectuals should also keep the positivity intact. Unnecessary emotions may be unwarranted. The Tangkhul and other Nagas in Manipur should give "respect" to Muivah's persona and popularity. 

In simple words, Tangkhuls should start (or have started) looking towards Ukhrul as their 'native district' where they can develop bonds with other communities and join the great Indian march for a Viksit Bharat.

ends