By : Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, September 27:
A wave of anticipation is sweeping across Somdal, a quiet Tangkhul Naga village in the western hills of Ukhrul district, as it prepares to welcome home its most illustrious son — Ato Kilonser Thuingaleng Muivah, the Supremo of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN/GPRN).
After more than 50 years of absence, Th. Muivah, the principal ideologue and chief negotiator of the Indo-Naga political dialogue, is scheduled to visit his birthplace, Somdal, on October 22, 2025. For the villagers, this is not merely a homecoming — it is a moment soaked in history, memory, sacrifice, and faith.
The Rising Tide of Excitement
When a media team from Ukhrul visited Somdal, the air was charged with joy and nostalgia. Men, women, and children alike greeted visitors with wide smiles, their conversations brimming with stories of Muivah’s early years and the sacrifices that kept him away from home for half a century.
From elders recalling youthful memories to students rehearsing songs and prayers, the village appears to be in unison — preparing not with worldly decorations but with cleansed hearts and souls.
“We have waited so long for this day. His footsteps in our soil after decades will reaffirm our God-given freedom,” said Rvs. Phungnang, headman of Somdal, his eyes gleaming with emotion.
A Childhood Remembered
Born on 23 March 1934 to Shangkathan and Luimala Muivah, Thuingaleng Muivah was the third son in a family of deep Christian faith. His siblings included Late Longrungla, Late Shangreihan, Late James, and his youngest surviving brother, Asui (Vareisui) Muivah, now 91.
Asui vividly recalls the younger days:
“He was always different — brave, determined, and far ahead in his thinking. I still remember how he would gather us village kids, hand us wooden toy guns, and make us shout ‘Inquilab Zindabad!’ with full force. Even as a student, he carried the spirit of a leader.”
Th. Muivah completed his early schooling in Ukhrul before moving on to DM College, Imphal, Union Christian College, Barapani, Shillong, and eventually earning a Master’s degree from Cotton College, Guwahati. But the pull of the Naga struggle was stronger than any academic pursuit.
In 1964, after much prayer with his parents, Muivah announced his decision to join the Naga national movement. His farewell words, as recalled by Asui, were piercing:
“Keep praying for me. I sacrifice my life for my people. Do not be anxious. I may not come back. Even if any of our family dies, I will not be able to return.”
The Long Absence
True to his word, Muivah never returned home — except once, briefly, in 1973, during the dedication ceremony of the village church. Even then, he remained hidden in the forest with his comrades, avoiding public gatherings for security reasons.
“When our mother brought him a rooster, he refused, saying they could not cook in the jungle,” Asui recalls, his voice trembling. “He told us then that he may never come back. And he kept his word. He was not there when our parents died. He missed the funerals of our siblings. Today, only the two of us remain alive.”
For decades, villagers kept him alive in their prayers and stories. His younger brother once traveled to Dimapur during the turbulent ‘Khaplang Split’ to meet him. “When I saw his skeletal frame after surviving without food for weeks, I broke down. Yet, his resolve was unshaken,” said Asui.
A Leader of Conviction
To many in Somdal, Muivah is not just a political leader — he is a symbol of sacrifice and conviction. Maringthei Muivah (95), a clan elder, describes him as: “A man of courage and wisdom, blessed by God. Even in his youth, he thought beyond his years. Whatever he said, he did with conviction. He is anointed to lead.”
The younger generation too shares this reverence. Eno. Pamri Shimrang, President of Somdal Katamnao Long (students’ union), said: “We grew up hearing his story with inspiration. His courage and determination guided many Tangkhuls into the movement. To finally see him in person, in our own village, means everything.”
The Historic Homecoming:
The Somdal Organising Committee, led by Eno. Ayin Ruivah, is leaving no stone unturned to prepare for the historic event. Beyond logistical and security considerations, the focus is on spiritual preparation.
Among the key programs is the “Meira Kashar” (Zarmei) — a torch-bearing prayer gathering symbolizing light, unity, and renewal. Every villager, young and old, is expected to participate.
“Our welcome will not be in worldly decoration but in cleansed hearts. This is about faith, love, and recognition of his lifelong sacrifice,” said Ayin Ruivah.
Faith and Politics Intertwined
For the Tangkhuls, Muivah’s journey embodies not just politics but also spirituality. Church leaders, youth groups, and women’s organizations across Ukhrul have been holding fasts and prayers in anticipation of his visit.
“His life is testimony that one can live and die for a cause greater than oneself. Whether one agrees with his politics or not, no one can deny the depth of his sacrifice,” said a senior National worker.
The Larger Naga Context
As Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) and General Secretary of NSCN/GPRN, Th. Muivah has been at the helm of the Indo-Naga peace talks, the longest-running political negotiation in South Asia. His ideological firmness, often controversial, has nonetheless kept the Naga issue alive in the corridors of power in Delhi and beyond.
For Somdal villagers, however, the forthcoming visit is less about geopolitics and more about human connection. To them, it is about welcoming a son, a brother, a leader who has been away too long.
A Day of History in the Making
As October 22 draws nearer, the air in Somdal is filled with anticipation. Road repairing, cleaning painting, Bamboo arches are being prepared, traditional shawls woven, and choirs rehearsed. Yet, the elders insist the real welcome lies in the unity of spirit. “We want to welcome him with our hearts, not just with flags or feasts. His return is history in the making,” said one villager.
More Than a Homecoming
When Th. Muivah finally steps into Somdal soil after more than half a century, it will mark a convergence of personal sacrifice, community longing, and historical significance.
For the people of Somdal — and indeed for the Tangkhuls and Nagas at large — it is a moment to look back on decades of struggle and forward to uncertain but hopeful tomorrows.
As Asui Muivah, his only surviving sibling, puts it with quiet conviction:
“We will not grieve when he passes away. He has already given his life for the Naga nation. For us, his homecoming is enough.”
On October 22, Somdal will not just receive a leader — it will embrace its son, its Avakharar, its living history.