Senapati: The Senapati District Stadium turned into a sea of blue on Wednesday as thousands of Nagas, clad in vibrant traditional attire and waving the Naga national flag, gathered to welcome their leader, Thuingaleng Muivah, during a historic civic reception in Senapati, Manipur.
Home to diverse Naga communities, including the Poumai, Mao, and Maram, Senapati witnessed one of its largest gatherings in recent memory. The event marked a moment of unity and reverence for Muivah, the Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) and chief political negotiator of the NSCN/GPRN, who has led the Naga movement for self-determination for over six decades.
Following a week-long stay at his native village Somdal that began on October 22, Muivah arrived in Senapati by helicopter, where he was accorded a rousing welcome by thousands of supporters. Traditional Poumai troupes performed as part of the ceremonial reception, showcasing the community’s rich cultural heritage. Students formed human chains along the road leading to the stadium, greeting Muivah with chants and songs of solidarity.
The event, organized by the United Naga Council (UNC) and hosted by the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), drew an estimated crowd of over 80,000 people from across southern Nagalim and beyond — a turnout that organizers described as “historic.”
Addressing the gathering, Muivah expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming reception and reaffirmed his commitment to the Naga cause. “I am very delighted to have met you all today because of your unwavering support and prayers for me and for the Naga Nation. We should never forget our history; we are not a lost people,” he told the cheering crowd.
Reiterating his faith in the ongoing peace process, Muivah assured the people that the leadership remained steadfast in its pursuit of an “honourable Indo-Naga solution based on the Framework Agreement.” The veteran leader also called for unity among Nagas, urging them to rebuild the Naga nation through love, understanding, and forgiveness.
The civic reception was marked by cultural performances and spiritual blessings. Four choir groups — representing the Poumai, Maram, Mao, and Makuilongdi communities — performed hymns and traditional songs that echoed across the packed stadium. In a deeply symbolic gesture, 134 ordained Naga Christian leaders came together to pray for Muivah’s health, longevity, and continued guidance of the Naga people.
For many in attendance, the day carried both emotional and historical weight. It was not just a celebration of leadership but also a reaffirmation of identity and resilience for the southern Naga communities, who see Muivah as both a political and spiritual figurehead.
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After the ceremony, Muivah departed Senapati by helicopter for Dimapur, concluding a visit that many described as “momentous” in strengthening bonds among the Nagas of Manipur and reaffirming their collective aspiration for peace and dignity.
The reception in Senapati, following his homecoming in Somdal, underscored the enduring reverence Muivah commands among Naga communities and the unbroken link between tradition, faith, and the long journey toward an inclusive Indo-Naga understanding.
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