Ahead of Naga leader's visit, preventive security in Manipur

Senapati (Manipur), May 4 (ANI): Security measures have been tightened to prevent Thuingaleng Muivah, General Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), from entering Manipur.

Muivah had proposed to visit his birthplace at Somdal village in Ukhrul district between May 3 and 10.

He is also scheduled to attend a public reception May 8 at Ukhrul district headquarters.onsidering these proposed programmes, the Manipur government has taken preventive security steps by deploying two large contingents of the state police.

They have set up barricades at Mao gate in Senapati district on the Manipur-Nagaland border, around 120 kilometres away from Imphal.

Similar barricades have also been set up near Jessami in Ukhrul district to prevent the leader from crossing into Manipur's territory.

Restriction under Section 144 of CrPC has also been clamped in Senapati district in addition to deployment of additional forces.

The state's Home Ministry's instructions came after it was apprised by the state government about the prevailing law and order situation as well as the possible social upheaval likely to be caused by Muivah's visit to Manipur.

Locals in Manipur however feel that Muivah is a very popular leader and government is being a bit too critical about his visit.

"I should say that the state government is a little too critical regarding this. In the sense because Muivah, he is a political leader, no doubt about it. But if we have to say from a ordinary person, Muivah is somebody looked up and he is an already an international figure," said Chiihujio, a local.

Manipur Police personnel have started manning the Mao gate very carefully since Sunday evening and police commandos are deployed at the gate. (ANI)