The members of Amnesty International. Telegraph picture

Khuzama, May 8: The London-based Amnesty International has asked the Centre and the Manipur government to pave the way for the safe visit of the NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thiungaleng Muivah to his village Somdal in Ukhrul district.

Jaya Vindhyala, a member of Amnesty International and vice-president of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, a prominent civil rights organisation in India, strongly condemned Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh’s decision not to allow Muivah to visit his village.

She is in Nagaland to assess the situation.

According to her, when there is a peace process between the Centre and the Naga outfit, there is no reason to prevent Muivah from going to his village

Vindhyala blamed the Centre for its “mishandling” of the situation and allowing it to spin out of control.

Accusing the Centre of adopting a divide-and-rule policy, she condemned the killing of two students by police on May 6.

The NSCN (I-M) today said it would go ahead with Muivah’s visit to his village. A statement issued by the information and publicity department of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) said: “We abide by the wish of the people to visit our own people to spread peace and complete their journey according to their wish.”

It further said the NSCN (I-M) was committed to a peaceful solution of the Naga problem and had embarked on the journey of peace to Somdal and other areas of “Nagalim” (greater Nagaland) in deference to the wishes of the Naga people.

Condemning the Manipur government’s decision not to allow Muivah entry into that state, the GPRN said the Prime Minister of India had requested them to defer their visit, adding they would abide by the wishes of the people and would not backtrack.

Yesterday, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio met Muivah at Viswema village and requested him to defer his visit till the situation improved.

The state cabinet while condemning the decision of the Manipur government also requested Muivah to defer his visit to Somdal in Ukhrul.

The influx of people from Manipur to Nagaland continues unabated and the Rio government is extending all possible assistance to those who have crossed over to Nagaland to escape alleged brutality of Manipur security forces.

Curfew has been imposed in and around Mao town since May 6 and people are allegedly harassed and assaulted by the police. Various Naga organisations and individuals are assisting the displaced people. They have taken refuge in Khuzama, Kidima and nearby villages.

A number of people unaccounted for have fled to Kohima and Dimapur, according to Nagaland official sources.