Top NSCN leaders enroute to Hebron paid respect and tribute to Loshuo Dikho and Neli Chakho of Kalinamai village who were killed by police firing on 6 May 2010. The leaders were returning to Hebron after accompanying Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser on his historic homecoming at Somdal, Ukhrul.
The leaders are Lieut. Gen. Retd. Vs Atem, (Deputy Ato Kilonser) and his wife Mrs. Pamyo Vashum, Qhevihe Chishi Swu, (CLM) , Yanger Pongener (CLM) , Hutovi Chishi Swu (Steering Committee Convenor), T.T. Among and others.
The homecoming of Th. Muivah’s in 2010 could not take place due to the stand taken by the Ibobi-led Manipur Government. To prevent Th. Muivah from going to his village, MAO GATE, ie, the border between Nagaland and Manipur was sealed by the Government of Manipur, deploying thousands of Police commandos.
The stand taken by the Ibobi-led Government was strongly opposed by the Nagas. On 6 May 2010, the people of Mao protested the action of the Manipur Government and the police fired upon the rallyists. The police action left 2 dead and 74 injured.
The two deceased were Loshuo Dikho of Kalinamai village, a student of St. Joseph College, Jakhama and Neli Chakho of Kalinamai village a BA second year student of St. Joseph College, Bangaluru.
In the wake of the Mao Gate killing incident, Naga MLAs in the Manipur Legislative Assembly resigned en masse. They were W. Morung Makunga (Tengnoupal), Awangbow Newmai (Tamei), RK. Raina (Tadubi), Dr. Khashim Ruivah (Chingai), M. Thohreii (Mao) and Wungnaoshang Keishing (Phungyar).
The then Lok Sabha Speaker, Purno A. Sangma described the Mao Gate firing incident as another glaring misuse of the draconian Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). “Since the NSCN (IM) has been in a ceasefire agreement and ongoing talks with the Centre, Muivah has the right to visit his birth place” stated Purno A. Sangma.
“A person wants to go to his own village. The government there is resisting it. There is a problem in Manipur” stated the then Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram.
The, then Union Home Secretary, GK. Pillai and Government of India’s interlocutor to Naga Peace Talks, RS. Pandey visited Manipur and Nagaland. They met the then CM of Manipur, Ibobi Singh in Imphal and CM of Nagaland, N. Rio and Th. Muivah at Viswema. They appealed to Muivah to postpone his visit to Somdal in Ukhrul District until a more congenial time.
After a gap of 15 years since the Mao Gate incident, Th. Muivah visited his birthplace on 22 October 2025.
