NSCN (IM) chief Thuingaleng Muivah receives grand welcome in Senapati after six decades

NSCN (IM) chief and Ato Kilonser of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN), Thuingaleng Muivah, was accorded a heroic and emotional welcome upon his arrival at Senapati district headquarters, Tahamzam, on Wednesday.
Muivah’s visit comes after more than six decades away from his native home in Ukhrul district, marking a historic and deeply symbolic homecoming for the veteran Naga leader. Having departed his ancestral village earlier in the day, he was greeted by tens of thousands of well-wishers as he arrived in Senapati — a town transformed into a sea of Naga flags, songs, and traditional festivities.
According to organisers, over 30,000 people from across Naga-inhabited districts of Manipur gathered in Senapati to honour the 90-year-old leader. The streets reverberated with traditional Naga music, cultural dances, and chants of solidarity, as community leaders, students, and elders joined the reception procession that escorted Muivah to the town centre.
The grand civic reception, jointly organised by various Naga civil society organisations under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC), marked a highlight of Muivah’s week-long visit to Manipur from October 22 to 29, during which he is scheduled to address several gatherings and hold consultations with tribal and community leaders.
As part of the reception ceremony, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) unfurled the Naga National Flag at its office in Senapati, symbolising the student body’s continued commitment to the Framework Agreement and its core principles, including recognition of the Naga flag and constitution.
In his address to the gathering, ANSAM President Th. Angteshang Maring hailed Muivah as “the living embodiment of the Naga political struggle.”
“With hearts burning in pride and spirits anchored in purpose, the Naga youths and students of Manipur rise in unity to welcome our most revered leader, Th. Muivah — a living legend whose life has been a song of sacrifice, courage, and unbreakable conviction for the Naga nation,” he declared.
The massive turnout and the vibrant cultural expressions reflected the deep reverence and emotional connection the Naga people continue to share with Muivah, who remains a pivotal figure in the Naga political dialogue and the Framework Agreement signed with the Government of India in 2015.
The event not only celebrated Muivah’s return but also reaffirmed Naga unity and identity amid ongoing discussions about the future of the Naga peace process.
Th. Muivah is scheduled to address the public gathering later in the evening, marking what many described as a significant and historic moment in the continuing journey of the Naga movement.