Senapati town is all set to welcome Thuingaleng Muivah, the General Secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN (IM), who is scheduled to arrive at the district headquarters today as part of his week-long visit to Manipur.
Muivah, who has been staying at his native Somdal village in Ukhrul district, is expected to proceed to Senapati before flying to Dimapur, Nagaland, later in the day. The 91-year-old Naga leader’s visit marks his first return to his home state in more than six decades.
A grand civic reception has been arranged at the Senapati District Headquarters Ground, jointly organized by the United Naga Council (UNC) and the Naga People’s Organization (NPO). The town has been adorned with traditional decorations, cultural motifs, and welcome banners ahead of his arrival.
To commemorate the occasion, the UNC has declared a “Genna” — a traditional day of rest and unity — suspending all business, transport, and economic activities in the district. The council has appealed to members of all Naga tribes to take part in the programme as a collective show of solidarity.
The event will begin with a reception at the helipad, where Muivah will be received by UNC leaders, presidents of various tribe hohos, and representatives from organizations such as ANSAM, NWU, and NSCN. A human chain of supporters representing different Naga tribes will line the route from the helipad to the venue, accompanied by folk songs, traditional chants, and a motorcycle escort by the Royal Brothers Motorcycle Club.
Thousands of people from across Naga-inhabited regions are expected to attend the ceremony, which will feature choir performances, cultural displays, and speeches from community and tribal leaders representing over 20 Naga tribes.
The NPO has directed all government and private offices, including banks, to remain closed for the day and called for the suspension of transport and agricultural activities except essential household work.
Meanwhile, the Senapati district administration has issued a traffic advisory to regulate vehicular movement during the programme. Parking and vehicle movement have been restricted between the helipad and the venue, and the Senapati main market has been declared a No Parking Zone. The movement of heavy vehicles through Mao Gate and Hengbung will remain suspended from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and only vehicles with car passes or using designated shuttle services will be allowed into the town.
