Wung Tangkhul awaits its Patriarch: Four corners of Tangkhul Naga Longphang unite in joyous welcome for Hon’ble Ato Kilonser Th. Muivah’s historic homecoming

By: Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, October 11:
As the long-awaited homecoming of Hon’ble Ato Kilonser Thuingaleng Muivah, the revered leader of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN / GPRN)), draws near, an overwhelming sense of anticipation and emotional fervor is sweeping across the Tangkhul Naga homeland. The four corners of the Tangkhul Naga Longphang—Ato, Aze, Zingsho, and Zingtun—collectively representing the east, west, south, and north regions of Tangkhul land—have extended their warmest and most heartfelt welcome to their beloved son and national leader, Avakharar Th. Muivah, ahead of his scheduled return to Ukhrul and his native village, Somdal, on October 22, 2025.
The announcement of solidarity and jubilation came on Friday, as leaders of the four Longphang, under the Wung Tangkhul Region, addressed the media with deep reverence and emotion. Their words resonated with decades of respect, faith, and gratitude for the man who dedicated his entire life to the Naga cause, enduring untold hardships for the realization of the Naga people’s aspiration for self-determination and unity.
“A Homecoming Beyond Time and Generation”
Qr. Epchan Kapai, Chairman of the Tangkhul Naga Zingtun Longphang (TNZL), speaking with emotion-laden words, said, “The homecoming of Avakharar to Ukhrul and his birthplace, Somdal, is a moment of immense joy for every Tangkhul soul. We warmly welcome him with open hearts and prayers for his good health and safety. Let every Tangkhul—young and old, rich and poor—rise to welcome him in unity and humility. We pray that no untoward event mars this sacred journey and that God’s protection and grace accompany him always.”
Epchan Kapai emphasized that the return of the Ato Kilonser is not merely a personal visit but a symbolic reunion between the leader and his people after over five decades of absence—a homecoming that embodies the resilience, faith, and continuity of the Naga political struggle.
“A Leader Who Sacrificed Everything for the Naga Nation”
Echoing the same sentiment, Qr. As. Nathan, Chairman of the Tangkhul Naga Zingsho Longphang (TNZL), representing the eastern region, said,
“Avakharar is returning home on October 22 after more than 50 years. For the people of Zingsho, this is a day we have long prayed for. Under his leadership, the Naga movement gained direction, dignity, and determination. His sacrifice and service for the Naga people are unmatched. Every home and every heart in the east is waiting to greet him, to show the respect and honour he rightfully deserves.”
Nathan further added that the eastern Tangkhul community is preparing to receive the Ato Kilonser with reverence and prayerful hearts, believing his return will renew the Naga spirit and unity.
“We sincerely pray to Almighty God to grant him good health and strength, and that all arrangements for his homecoming unfold according to God’s divine plan,” he expressed.
“A Divine Moment in History”
For Qr. Wungpam L. Shimray, Chairman of the Tangkhul Naga Ato Longphang (TNAL), the Ato region’s leader, the impending visit of Th. Muivah is nothing short of divine providence. With heartfelt conviction, he said,
“For the Naga cause, Avakharar has sacrificed all personal comforts and endured untold hardships. He gave his youth, his life, and his energy to the Naga people. His decision to return home after so many years is a blessing from God and a fulfilment of a long journey of faith.”
Calling it one of the happiest moments of his life, Wungpam added that Muivah’s homecoming marks a turning point for the Tangkhul and Naga people alike.
“This historic visit will be etched forever in the annals of Naga history. For the Ato Tangkhul Region in particular, and the Nagas in general, this day will remain one of the most precious and auspicious. I firmly believe that God’s divine plan is unfolding, and He has opened a new door of hope for the Tangkhul and the Naga nation,” Wungpam declared.
He concluded with a prayer:
“May God’s grace be with Avakharar always. We unceasingly pray for his long life, good health, and enduring strength. Kuknalim!”
“A Historic Moment to Cherish for Generations”
Adding the southern voice to the collective welcome, Qr. Sophayo Siro, senior member of the Tangkhul Naga Aze Longphang (TNAL), representing the southern region, expressed the unified joy and anticipation of his people.
“The Aze—southern Tangkhul denizens—extend our warmest and most heartfelt welcome to Hon’ble Ato Kilonser Avakharar on his maiden return to his birthplace, Somdal. We see this as a historic day to cherish in our lifetime.”
Sophayo further stated that the southern Tangkhul villages—comprising village authorities, headmen, women’s leagues, youth, and student bodies—are working hand in hand to welcome the leader with reverence and unity.
“We are preparing with our hearts and souls to receive him in the most honourable way. To see him and meet him once again will be a blessing to all of us who have carried his vision in our hearts for decades,” he added with emotion.
A Leader Beyond Generations
Thuingaleng Muivah, a name synonymous with the modern Naga political movement, stands as one of the most influential and revered figures among the Naga people. Born in Somdal village, Ukhrul district, in 1934, Muivah dedicated his life to the pursuit of the Naga political aspiration for sovereignty and self-determination. As the Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the NSCN / GPRN , his leadership, wisdom, and negotiation skills have shaped the trajectory of the Indo-Naga peace talks for decades.
For the Tangkhul people, his return to his birthplace after over half a century evokes deep emotion and reverence. Many see it as a symbolic fulfillment of both personal and collective longing—a reunion between the father of the Naga struggle and his ancestral soil.
Ukhrul Gears Up for an Unprecedented Welcome
As the date approaches, preparations are in full swing across Ukhrul and Somdal. Various Tangkhul civil bodies, youth and student organizations, church groups, and village communities are reportedly coordinating to ensure a peaceful and dignified reception. Decorations, prayer meetings, and cultural rehearsals are taking place in anticipation of the moment when the Ato Kilonser sets foot once again on Tangkhul land.
Sources close to the organizing committee reveal that arrangements are being made for public reception, traditional blessings, and a thanksgiving prayer program. Security and logistical preparations are also being coordinated in consultation with local authorities and community leaders.
A Moment of Faith, Unity, and Reflection
The homecoming of Avakharar is not just a personal journey but a moment of deep reflection for the entire Naga community. For many, it symbolizes the enduring spirit of the Naga struggle—rooted in faith, unity, and resilience despite decades of adversity.
The collective statement from the four Longphang is more than a ceremonial welcome; it is a reaffirmation of the Naga people’s respect for their leaders, their history, and their shared destiny. The words of prayer and unity echo through every hill and valley of Ukhrul, as the people prepare to receive a son who once left to fight for their collective dream.
“Avakharar’s homecoming reminds us of who we are and where we come from,” said a youth leader from Ukhrul town. “For our generation, who have only heard of his sacrifices through stories, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the living legend who dedicated his life for our people.”
A Testament of Enduring Legacy
In every corner of Tangkhul land, from the eastern hills of Zingsho to the western ranges of Zingtun, from the southern valleys of Aze to the northern ridges of Ato, the same message resonates—honour, gratitude, and prayer. The unity displayed by the four Longphang symbolizes the unbroken bond that ties the Tangkhul people together, transcending distance, generation, and circumstance.
As one elder from Somdal put it, “He left as a young man carrying the burden of a nation, and now he returns as a father of our struggle. His homecoming is not just his, it is ours too—of every Naga who has walked this long and uncertain road of history.”
“Kuknalim” — The Cry of a People Reunited
When Th. Muivah arrives in Ukhrul later this month, it will be more than a return—it will be a reunion of hearts, a reawakening of faith, and a renewal of identity.
For the Tangkhuls, the name Avakharar is not just that of a leader—it is the echo of their collective memory, the embodiment of their journey, and the living symbol of their enduring hope.
And as the people prepare to greet him with the traditional cry—
“Kuknalim!” (Victory to the Land)—
it will ring not just across Ukhrul’s green hills, but in the hearts of Nagas everywhere who still dream of peace, dignity, and unity under the vision that Th. Muivah has carried for a lifetime.