Thuingaleng Muivah, the 91-year-old General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN (I-M), returned to his native village of Somdal in Manipur last week after an absence of over 60 years. His arrival by helicopter drew a significant crowd, including his 84-year-old sibling, Asui Muivah. This visit marked his second attempt to return home, with a prior attempt in 2010 having been blocked by the Manipur government due to security concerns. Muivah's organization, the NSCN (I-M), is a Naga insurgent faction that has been involved in one of Asia's long-running rebellions against the Indian state.
Return to Somdal
Muivah's return to Somdal village in Manipur's Ukhrul district was met by a gathering that sang and draped him in a traditional shawl. He had left the village in 1964 to participate in the Naga struggle for sovereignty. During his return, a message attributed to him was read by his deputy, VS Atem, stating, "Generation comes and goes, but the nation stays. The issue we are fighting for is greater and older than most of us." Since a ceasefire in 1997, Muivah has resided in Delhi and at the NSCN (I-M) headquarters in Hebron, Nagaland.
The Naga Movement and Demands
The Naga people are spread across Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam states. Muivah, who was born in Manipur in March 1935, advocates for either full sovereignty or a "Greater Nagaland" that would unite Naga communities across these regions. Supporters view him as upholding the demand for a separate Naga state. The NSCN (I-M) has faced accusations of targeted killings and operating a parallel government through the collection of funds, described by some as extortion, which the organization denies. Critics within the Naga insurgency, such as the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), have also accused Muivah of ordering killings and carrying out arson in villages, allegations detailed by ZUF spokesperson Louis Gangmei.
Historical Context of the Naga Struggle
The Naga struggle for identity precedes India's independence. In 1918, World War One laborers formed the Naga Club to assert a distinct identity. Following India's independence in 1947, Naga leaders declined to join the new republic and conducted their own unrecognised plebiscite for independence in 1951. Armed conflict intensified, leading to the Indian government deploying troops in 1955. The ensuing decades involved insurgency, factional divisions, and ceasefires, resulting in fatalities and displacement.
Muivah's early life involved education at a local Christian school and developing an interest in Naga nationalism. After studying at St Anthony's College in Shillong, he joined the Naga National Council (NNC) in 1964, which was the first political organization demanding independence for the Nagas from India.
Journey and Leadership
In 1966, Muivah, then 31, was part of a group of over 130 guerrillas who undertook a 97-day trek through northern Myanmar to China's Yunnan province. He recounted carrying their own rice and experiencing hunger and lack of water during the journey. In China, the rebels received training in guerrilla warfare, Marxist-Leninist theory, and "people's war." Muivah studied at Beijing's College of Diplomacy and visited Vietnam before returning to Nagaland after five years.
In 1980, Muivah, alongside Isak Chishi Swu and SS Khaplang, founded the NSCN, separating from the NNC following its peace accord with Delhi. This organization later split into the NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (K), led by Khaplang, leading to the formation of smaller offshoots. India's intelligence agencies have described the NSCN (I-M) as operating a "shadow state" across the hills, with the group training and arming smaller ethnic groups.
Negotiations and Ongoing Demands
After periods of exile, Muivah entered a ceasefire with India. However, his demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution has been a point of contention in ongoing negotiations. In a 2020 interview, Muivah stated that the Nagas would not accept the Indian Union's constitution, asserting that a solution requires their own flag and constitution. The Indian government has offered increased autonomy but has rejected concessions implying sovereignty. The 2015 Framework Agreement, which was intended to be a breakthrough, remains unresolved. Last week, Muivah declared, "We have not surrendered our free existence and sovereignty. Come what may, we shall defend it to the last."