Kohima/Imphal, May 07 2010: NSCN-IM leader T Muivah, camping at a border village since Wednesday, today put on hold his visit to his native village in Manipur after the Centre and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio urged him to defer it and plan his tour in a more congenial atmosphere.

Rio and his Cabinet colleagues, who met the NSCN-IM general secretary at Viswema village, requested him to postpone his visit till the situation stabilised in Manipur.

During the close-door meeting with Muivah in presence of village elders and members of Naga civil society groups, the NSCN-IM leader informed him that a similar request was made in a letter from PMO, Rio told newsmen here.

Rio said immediately after his arrival from New Delhi he held a cabinet meeting and discussed the volatile situation arising out of Manipur government's action in connection with Muivah's visit to his birthplace.

"Since the PMO (Prime Minister's Office) has requested us to wait for things to settle down, we cannot disregard the request," senior NSCN-IM functionary Phungthing Shimrang said, adding Muivah was, however, determined to head for Somdal in Ukhrul district at any cost.

"It is up to the government of India how fast it can handle the present situation and create a congenial situation for our general secretary to visit his native village without any hindrance," he told reporters.

"Now the ball is in the government's court and we are waiting for its response," Phungthing said.