There has been much speculation on the strategic significance of Thuingaleng Muivah's visit to his home village Somdal in the Ukhrul district of Manipur. From the official point of view, Muivah is the chief hurdle before a resolution to the Naga problem, for it is only he who continues to insist on two conditions deemed outside the purview of the Indian Constitution—a separate constitution and a flag for Nagas—as a precondition for a settlement.

This, however, is probably an overreading. Muivah is now 91 and not in good health. His abiding wish, hence, is probably to see his birthplace he left 61 years ago, not knowing if this would be his last chance. He is revered among Manipur Nagas, especially his tribe—the Tangkhul, for whom he is a father figure, an avakharar . As with anybody who

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