India, Oct. 23 -- National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah reached Manipur's Ukhrul district headquarters on Wednesday, his first visit to his hometown and village in five decades, to a rousing welcome.

Hundreds of people including children turned up at Ukhrul's Bakshi ground to welcome Muivah, who leads the top insurgent group NSCN (IM), which entered into a ceasefire with the Union government in 1997. Muivah, who picked up arms to join an armed struggle in 1964, thanked the people and the governments in New Delhi and Kohima, apart from civil society and church bodies, for the warm welcome.

Muivah, the principal negotiator in the Naga peace talks with the Centre, is likely to stay in Somd...