Muviah visit: Human Rights body appeals to PM to intervene

Even as Thuingaleng Muivah, the general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muviah, remains adamant to visit his ancestral village at Somdal in Ukhrul district of Manipur notwithstanding the opposition in Manipur, the Asian Human Rights Commission called on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Monday to intervene in diffusing the escalating tension, especially in Nagaland-Manipur boundary areas in Mao.

Muivah, who is camping at Viswema village near Nagaland-Manipur boundary, said, "I can't wait for ever to visit Somdal. We wait for few days at the request of the Prime Minister's Office."

He appealed to the Government of India to resolve the imbroglio in Manipur over his proposed visit.

The PMO had earlier persuaded Muivah to put off his visit to Somdal till the situation turned normal in Manipur.

Tension mounted after three NSCN-IM supporters were killed and over 75 injured when the Manipur police opened fire and exploded teargas shells at Mao town near the Nagaland boundary on Thursday to control a mob of NSCN-IM supporters protesting against the Manipur government's decision to disallow Muivah from entering the state.

The AHRC has exhorted the prime minister to intervene immediately to bring the escalating tension.

"The situation has deteriorated sharply with the armed forces firing upon unarmed protestors in and around Mao village along the Manipur-Nagaland border, resulting in three deaths and injury to around 80 men and women.

"We condemn such a response from the state and urge you to act immediately in order to bring the situation under control and restore normalcy to the region," the AHRC stated in a letter sent to the PM.

The rights body condemned the ongoing economic blockade enforced by the All Naga Student Association Manipur and others in Manipur since April 11, 2010, that has disrupted supply of essential commodities, medicines and fuels to Manipur through NH 39 and NH 53 highways.

The strike was launched in protest against Manipur government's notification for holding elections to the autonomous hill district councils in Manipur under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act, 2008.

Naga organsations consider the ADC election as a threat to their claim for 'Greater Nagaland', known as 'Nagalim', a separate integrated area merging Naga-populated areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

In the midst of this tension, the Centre permitted Muivah to visit Manipur despite the strong opposition by the Manipur government.

The state government has said that Muviah's visit would further escalate prevailing tensions between communities.

"The state administration increased security deployment in the border town of Mao to stop Muivah from entering Manipur. The situation in the state is extremely volatile and with the slightest provocation, an internal conflict may breakout. If this happens it could spread to a large area and destabilise the whole region, " the AHRC said.