Ukhrul (manipur)October 22, 2025 07:06 PM IST
First published on: Oct 22, 2025 at 06:54 PM IST
At 3:25 pm on Wednesday, a chopper landed on a newly-made helipad in a village nestled among Manipur’s Naga hills, kicking up a storm of dust towards the gathering, which stood holding the pale blue ‘Naga national flag’ in their hands. Once the dust settled, an elderly and visibly frail Thuingaleng Muivah stepped out, assisted by his security entourage, stepping foot in his native village Somdal, in Manipur’s Ukhrul, for the first time in over five decades.
At 91, Muivah remains the face of one of South Asia’s oldest insurgencies, and in these parts, is regarded a hero. He joined the Naga National Council back in 1964 to fight for Naga autonomy; went on to form the NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland) in 1980 along with S S Khaplang and Isak Chishi Swu, both of whom have now passed away; entered a ceasefire with the Indian government in 1997; and has since been at the helm of peace talks with the Union.
Now, in the autumn of his life, Muivah has returned to his village – barred to him for a long time by the government – for a week-long visit.
On Wednesday, Muivah made his first halt at the Ukhrul district headquarters along with his wife Pakahao, and was welcomed with a homecoming reception. V S Atem, the ‘Deputy Ato Kilonser’ or the ‘Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim’, who has been named Muivah’s successor, delivered a speech on his behalf on the occasion.
“My revolutionary journey began six decades ago from here in Tangkhul country in 1964. I thank the Lord God Almighty for preserving me and making it possible for me to return to my village Somdal today. But many people whom I knew and who loved me are missing. A generation comes and goes, but the nation stays. The issue we are fighting for is greater and older than most of us who are gathered here at this Tangkhul Naga Long ground today,” said Atem, as Muivah sat with his wife on the dais beside him.
The entourage later travelled to Somdal, around 22 km away. At the village that is home to a population of around 4,500, Muivah’s younger brother Asui – who is in his eighties – is his only surviving sibling.
Two other brothers, Shangreihan and James, and sister Longrungla passed away during his long absence.