In the wake of the continuing tension in Manipur following the standoff between the state government and NSCN(I-M) general secretary T. Muivah who is insisting on visiting his ancestral village in the state, Manipur governor Gurbachan Jag met home minister P. Chidambaram on Friday.
The Manipur government has also written to the home ministry asking for Central assistance to airlift life-saving drugs from Guwahati to Imphal after severe blockades by supporters of the NSCN(I-M) adversely impacted movement of essential commodities into the state.
“The request will be processed immediately,” a ministry official said.
Ministry sources said that Muivah should graciously give up his demand if the Manipur government is refusing to allow him visit his village. “We hope that civil society groups in Nagaland prevail upon him to give up his demand for the time being,” sources said.
The sources maintained that Muivah, being a Z+ category protectee, could be allowed to visit his village under restrictions but that decision has to be taken by the Manipur government.
Meanwhile, the BJP on Friday attacked Mr Chidambaram for not discussing with the Manipur government the issue of Muivah’s visit to the state. The party alleged this “unilateral decision” has created tension in the state and economic blockade by supporters of the NSCN(I-M) leader.
A BJP delegation, led by party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar, met Mr Chidambarm in this regard and demanded that the territorial integrity of Manipur should not be negotiated. The party, which demanded permission to the Naga leader to visit the state be withdrawn, said if needed they would also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard.
“The unilateralism of the home minister has once again created tension. Earlier, he had announced creation of a separate Telangana state without taking the Andhra Pradesh government into confidence. This time, he allowed Muivah to visit his village in Manipur without asking the state government for its view,” Mr Javadekar said.