Imphal, Jan. 5: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh and some of his ministerial colleagues today visited the hub of Manipur’s Naga community, Senapati district, in a bid to smoothen feathers ruffled by his government’s refusal to withdraw the cases pending against NSCN (I-M) leader Thuingaleng Muivah. The daylong tour would have been interpreted as routine, but for the chief minister’s stand, which has antagonised the Naga community.
Trying his best to convince the Nagas that the government was not prejudiced against them, Ibobi Singh announced a slew of welfare schemes for the community. At Tungjoy village, bordering Nagaland, he promised the villagers everything they asked for, be it electricity, water, a playground or roads.
The chief minister’s entourage included several Naga ministers, but the brain behind the tour was horticulture minister R.K. Theko, who hails from the area. Ibobi Singh and his ministerial colleagues left Imphal at the crack of dawn, and by 8.30 pm, he was a popular man in Senapati district, have been “accepted by the villagers as their leader”.
Nagas in the state were generally unhappy over the state government’s refusal to withdraw the arrest warrants against Muivah, who is likely to reach New Delhi along with NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chisi Swu for talks with the Centre.
Ibobi Singh had said last week that Muivah would be arrested if he entered Manipur. He was unruffled by criticism that his stand could anger the Nagas, but the damage-control drive today indicates that he has had a change of heart.
He is the first chief minister to have visited Tungjoy village, a Poumai Naga-dominated area located 120 km from Imphal, in recent times. The official reason for the visit was the observance of “Tungjoy Glory Day” and the “rare appearance” by Ibobi Singh, flanked by a host of ministers, was cause for celebration in the village.
After a traditional reception, the chief minister was taken to the venue of the celebrations on a decorated cart pulled by youth in Naga attire. His wife Landhoni Devi was with him.
The chief minister said the village would soon get continuous electricity, water and a better local playground. He also promised to get the Tungjoy-Tadubi road repaired.
Ibobi Singh distributed 30 blankets, a dozen lanterns, footballs and volleyballs. He even gifted Rs 50,000 to the organisers of the function.
Before returning, the chief minister climbed the Tungjoy Hill to survey the disputed Manipur-Nagaland border.