New Delhi’s talks with Muivah fail, Manipur blockade continues

VISWEMA - Talks between union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai and Thuingaleng Muivah to resolve the Manipur blockade failed Wednesday with the Naga separatist leader adamant on visiting his birthplace.

Pillai met Muivah, general secretary of the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), at village Viswema, about 20 km from the state capital Kohima, and held a nearly 90-minute meeting.

“Pillai suggested that Muivah should put on hold his proposed visit to his birthplace in Manipur until the situation normalises, but Muivah made it clear he could not wait for long and was not prepared to call off his visit,” V.S. Atem, a senior NSCN-IM leader, told journalists after the meeting.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the central government’s interlocutor for the Naga peace talks R.S. Pandey, and top NSCN-IM leaders, besides members of the civil society and tribal council leaders, were present in the meeting with Muivah at a community hall in Viswema.

“We will continue with our discussions with all sections of the society to break the stalemate,” Pandey said after the meeting that failed to resolve the deadlock.

Earlier Wednesday, Pillai held separate meetings with the Nagaland chief minister to work out a middle path to help allow stranded trucks carrying essentials to enter Manipur.

Manipur continues to reel under an acute food crisis following an indefinite economic blockade enforced by various Naga tribal groups to protest the Manipur government’s decision not to allow Muivah to visit his birthplace.

Hundreds of trucks carrying essentials and medicines were stranded in the adjoining state of Nagaland with protestors laying siege on National Highway 39 - the main lifeline to Manipur - to protest the state government’s decision.

Several hospitals have stopped routine surgeries due to a dearth of oxygen cylinders.

Landlocked Manipur depends on supplies from outside the region with trucks from the rest of India carrying essentials having to pass through Nagaland.

“Nothing really positive emerged out of the two meetings that Pillai had with the Nagaland chief minister and later on with Muivah,” a Manipur government spokesperson said.

Muivah wanted an assurance and a definite timeline from Pillai about his proposed visit to Ukhrul.

“We have undertaken this journey of peace… respecting the wishes of the Naga people, but it is unfortunate that the Manipur government has opposed the visit of Muivah… and we condemn… the irrationality of the state government,” an NSCN-IM statement said.

Pillai has returned to Imphal to work out plans to get food and other essentials into Manipur via an alternate route from adjoining Assam with the help of army escort.

“National Highway 53 connecting Assam to Manipur can be used to bring in supplies but the road condition is atrocious with landslides literally making a large stretch almost unpassable,” a Manipur government official said.

As of now the deadlock continues and Manipur’s entire support system has literally collapsed.

“You don’t get a litre of petrol even if one is willing to pay Rs.400, while rice is selling for anything between Rs.80 to Rs.100 a kg,” said Arun Singh, a local trader in Imphal.

“The situation is frightening to say the least,” warned rights leader Babloo Loitongbam.