PMO asks Muivah to put off home visit

NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivahs much-awaited visit to his ancestral Somdal village in Manipurs Ukhrul district is likely to be postponed...

NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivahs much-awaited visit to his ancestral Somdal village in Manipurs Ukhrul district is likely to be postponed till an indefinite period with the Naga leader on Friday getting a request from the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) to put it off till the situation improved.

Confirming this here,Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said,Muivah told me he has got a request from the PMO to wait till the situation improved, Rio said after meeting Muivah at Viswema village close to the Nagaland-Manipur border on Friday.

The Nagaland Chief Minister drove to Viswema village,20 km from here,and held a 90-minute closed-door meeting with Muivah and other senior leaders of the NSCN(IM),during which he also requested him to postpone his Manipur visit. The Nagaland Cabinet had earlier in the day held an emergency meeting during which it resolved to request Muivah to postpone the visit in view of the prevailing situation on the Manipur side.

At least two persons were killed and over 80 injured at Mao Gate at the Nagaland-Manipur border when police opened fire on people protesting the Manipur governments refusal to let Muivah enter the state. The Cabinet also condemned the use of state machinery by the Manipur government to suppress the voice and democratic rights of the people, Rio said here.

Rio also said since every state was supposed to adhere to any decision taken by the Centre in the countrys interest,the Manipur government should have also adhered to the Centres decision to grant permission to Muivah to visit his ancestral village. All states are under Government of India. If it says something in the interest of the country,then it should be adhered to, he said.

Earlier in the day,senior NSCN(IM) leader Major General Phunting Shimrang said,It is for the Indian government to handle the situation arising out of Manipur CM Ibobi Singhs stand against allowing Muivah to visit his ancestral village.

Meanwhile,over 1,000 people,including women and children,have run away from their villages in Manipur and taken refuge in Nagaland.