Imphal: Manipur is simmering after the state government banned T Muivah, a Naga separatist leader, from visiting his ancestral village in Manipur's Ukrul district.
Although the Nagas in Manipur were eager to receive him, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh stopped Muivah's homecoming, leading to a big standoff at the border.
Two women were killed in clashes with the police, and 50 people were injured, all of them Naga protestors, most of them women.
They had gathered at the Mao gate check post on the Manipur-Nagaland border to receive Muivah who was across the border at Viswema village in Nagaland, officials said.
Muivah is the General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).
He decided to postpone his visit by a day after Naga NGOs in Manipur advised him to let the situation ease before crossing the border. The Manipur government says that Muivah's arrival will lead to communal violence. "I am not going to create a disturbance. I am going for peace and to meet my people," argues Muivah.
NSCN-IM, one of the oldest and powerful rebel groups in the North East, is demanding a 'Greater Nagaland' - it wants the unification of areas dominated by Nagas in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, which are all opposed to the proposal.
Ibobi Singh was summoned to Delhi in a special Border Security Force (BSF) plane this morning to meet Home Minister P.Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister AK Antony. The Manipur Chief Minister refused to budge on Muivah's visit.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had met Chidambaram in Delhi on Wednesday, requesting him to ensure that Muivah could visit his home village.
Several organisations are opposing Muivah's visist, describing it as an attempt to divide Manipur. The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation has called for a 48-hour strike from midnight.
Although the Nagas in Manipur were eager to receive him, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh stopped Muivah's homecoming, leading to a big standoff at the border.
Two women were killed in clashes with the police, and 50 people were injured, all of them Naga protestors, most of them women.
Muivah is the General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).
Advertisement
NSCN-IM, one of the oldest and powerful rebel groups in the North East, is demanding a 'Greater Nagaland' - it wants the unification of areas dominated by Nagas in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, which are all opposed to the proposal.
Advertisement
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had met Chidambaram in Delhi on Wednesday, requesting him to ensure that Muivah could visit his home village.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Rahul Gandhi To Visit In Manipur On Monday, Meet People In Relief Camps After Meiteis And Nagas, Kuki Group Welcomes NRC In Manipur But With Riders "A Nobody Like Me...": After Manipur Congress MP's Parliament Speech, BJP's "Core Issues" Jab Sena Leader Arrested After Son Kills Mumbai Woman In BMW Crash 4 Terrorists Killed In J&K Hid In 'Bunker' With Entry From Fake Cupboard Scientists Confirm Earth's Core Has Slowed, Now Moving In Reverse Boy, 6, Dies After Falling Through Building's Railing Gap In Kolkata France Left-Wing Ahead Of Macron Alliance, Far Right In Poll: Projections 4 Terrorists Killed In J&K Hid In 'Bunker' With Entry From Fake Cupboard Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.