PC Defends Decision Allowing Muivah to Visit Manipur

New Delhi, May 18 : Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today defended the Centre's decision to allow NSCN (IM) leader T Muivah to visit his native village in Manipur saying that it was done to resolve the old and vexed Naga problem.

Reacting to BJP leader Prakash Javadekar's criticism about his unilateral decision, refusal of which by the Manipur government led to the state's blockade and violence, Mr Chidambaram said that when he asked the BJP leader about it he was was 'astounded and pleased' by the latter's explanation that the media reflected his statement before meeting the Home Minister and not the one given after the meeting.

In an interview to a private news channel, the Home Minister said the UPA government is trying to resolve the Naga problem and due to its consistent efforts NSCN(IM) leaders had agreed to come to India on Indian passports and hold talks with interlocutors.

When the talks progressed, Muivah expressed his wish to visit his native village which is in Manipur. Muivah was assured that the Centre would try to facilitate it.

However, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh refused to give permission to Muivah's visit. The Chief Minister was called to New Delhi on April 28 where Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Law Minister Veerappa Moily and Mr Chidambaram tried to persuade him but still after going back, he refused to allow Muivah's entry into the state.

''The government did the right thing. We tried to ensure Muivah's visit to his native village. Even if we are not able to ensure his entry into his native village today, we will be able to do so in future.'' He said that the government was being pro-active in trying to resolve these issues and ensure that they were suitably dealt with.

That is why it agreed to facilitate Muivah's visit, but this setback happened. However, for long pending decisions the matter should be considered on long term basis and these small setbacks should not be given much importance.

Pointing out that India has many serious security problems, he said that these problems could not be washed away or resolved in weeks or months but required persistent efforts.

Stating that he could have remained passive and not held talks with NSCN (IM) nor allowed Muivah to visit his native village, but it would not have resolved the long pending Naga problems. So to resolve these issue, he took the decision.