Latest news with #Meitei-dominated
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Manipur: Kuki-Zo body again urges FNCC to lift shutdown, allow passage through Naga areas
Imphal: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community, on Sunday once again urged the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) to immediately lift the shutdown and allow the safe passage to the people belonging to the Kuki-Zo community through the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. The FNCC called for an indefinite shutdown from midnight on Friday on the movement of Kuki-Zo tribals within the foothill regions of Naga-inhabited areas. The FNCC had stated that the shutdown is a peaceful but firm protest against what it describes as threats to the ancestral land, identity, and security of the Naga people. FNCC Secretary B. Robin Kabui, in a statement, said that the first concern is the proposed construction of roads through Naga ancestral territories without prior knowledge or consent of the Naga people. The committee termed it a blatant disregard for traditional ownership rights. The KZC, in a statement on Sunday, reiterated that the German-Tiger road in the Naga people's inhabited areas is a humanitarian lifeline that was initiated by Kuki-Zo civil society organisations out of sheer necessity. KZC's Secretary, Information and Publicity, Ginza Vualzong, said that following the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, it became unsafe and impossible for Kuki-Zo people to travel through Meitei-dominated areas. 'As a result, the community had no choice but to revive and upgrade an old inter-village track, now known as the German-Tiger Road, to connect the districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Similarly, as Sugnu is no longer accessible, we are compelled to depend solely on the Singheu route to stay connected with Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal, despite the absence of a viable bridge,' Vualzong said in a statement. They strongly condemned the 'baseless and malicious accusations being circulated by certain Meitei groups branding the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as 'drug routes.' These claims are entirely unfounded and without any legitimate evidence. Such narratives are not only irresponsible but are clearly intended to malign the Kuki-Zo community and disrupt the already fragile connectivity between Kuki-Zo inhabited regions of Manipur, the KZC stated. The KZC urged the central government to reject these 'divisive and baseless allegations' and, instead, take steps to improve the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as essential inter-district lifelines.
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- Deccan Herald
'Running out of patience': 2 years on, those displaced in Manipur strife long to return home
Shopkeeper Ningthoujam and his five-member family had to flee to Meitei-dominated Bishnupur as the Meitei-Kuki conflict flared up.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki-Zo council rejects drug route allegations, defends key roads
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) strongly condemns the baseless and malicious accusations being circulated by certain Meitei groups branding the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as "drug routes." Foothills Naga Coordination Committee ( FNCC ) has declared an indefinite bandh on the movement of Kukis within the foothill regions of Naga-inhabited areas, effective from midnight of July 18. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category healthcare Degree CXO Project Management others Leadership Others MBA Digital Marketing PGDM Operations Management Finance Data Analytics Design Thinking Healthcare Data Science Product Management Artificial Intelligence Data Science Public Policy Cybersecurity MCA Management Technology Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details KZC stated these claims are entirely unfounded and without any legitimate evidence. Such narratives are not only irresponsible but are clearly intended to malign the Kuki-Zo community and disrupt the already fragile connectivity between Kuki-Zo inhabited regions of Manipur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crack NSAT and Win Scholarships | Register Now Narayana Group Sign Up Undo Ginza Vualzong a leader of KZC stated it must be categorically stated that the German-Tiger road is a humanitarian lifeline that was initiated by Kuki-Zo civil society organizations out of sheer necessity. Following the ethnic violence that erupted on 3rd May 2023, it became unsafe and impossible for Kuki-Zo people to travel through Meitei-dominated areas. As a result, the community had no choice but to revive and upgrade an old inter-village track, now known as the German-Tiger Road, to connect the districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Similarly, as Sugnu is no longer accessible, we are compelled to depend solely on the Singheu route to stay connected with Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal, despite the absence of a viable bridge." Live Events He added that these roads serve critical civilian needs: transporting essential goods, school children, patients in need of medical care, and ordinary passengers. It is not a military or commercial route but a community-led initiative to ensure basic survival and connectivity for a people cut off from the rest of the state due to ongoing hostilities and the collapse of inter-community trust. The kuki body stated,"Accusing the German-Tiger Road and Singheu road of being a conduit for illicit activities without presenting credible evidence is nothing short of a deliberate attempt to criminalize the Kuki-Zo community and to isolate us further. We call upon the central governments to reject these divisive and baseless allegations and instead, take steps to improve the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as essential inter district lifelines." KZC, "Let it be made clear: The German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road symbolize resilience, not criminality. It reflects a community's will to survive amid violence, displacement, and blockade. Any effort to undermine or disrupt the connectivity of the Kuki-Zo community clearly reflects a deeper intent to marginalize and dismantle the Kuki-Zo people." B. Robin Kabui, Secretary of the FNCC, the first concern is the proposed construction of the German and Tiger roads through Naga ancestral territories without prior knowledge or consent of the Naga people. The committee termed it a blatant disregard for traditional ownership rights. A road constructed in the hill region called the 'German road' has raised concern in the wake of violence Manipur. The road built privately during the ethnic conflict connects Churachandpur to Kangpokpi. It is named after German H Kuki, leader of the Kuki National Front-Military Council (KNF-MC), a militant group based in Manipur. It is said that the road was constructed on the initiative of militant leader German. The road was opened for people in 2024. There are several Kaccha roads linking Churachandpur to neighbouring Mizoram. There are roads between Churachandpur and Myanmar. Myanmar shares a border with Churachandpur. Earlier the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) had expressed strong opposition to the proposed construction of the Tiger/German Road from Motbung in Kangpokpi district to Churachandpur, citing concerns over the road's naming. The organisation urged the Government of India and relevant authorities to reconsider the project and its implications. According to the organisation, the term 'Tiger/German Road' is associated with Kuki armed groups, which the organisation finds objectionable. FNCC stated the second issue raised is the alleged continued presence of illegal Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps of Kuki militant groups in Naga areas, which the FNCC claims poses a serious threat to peace and security. 'Thirdly, the FNCC highlighted the unchecked cultivation of poppy plantations, which it claims not only harms the environment but also fuels drug addiction and criminal activity, thereby endangering the social fabric'. The organisation added, 'These encroachments and activities, if allowed to persist, will irreversibly harm the heritage, security, and future of the Naga people. It further called on Naga bodies and tribal councils to unite in defending their ancestral domain". Meiteis, belonging to the erstwhile ruling class, account for 53% of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Naga and Kuki tribes constitute 40% of the population and live in the hill districts. More than 260 people have been killed and around 70,000 people of different communities rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities since May 3. Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 13, four days after the resignation of N. Biren Singh from the Chief Minister's post.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki-Zo road project sparks bandh call in Manipur's Naga-majority areas
Guwahati: An indefinite bandh for movement of Kuki-Zo people through Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur has been declared by the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) since Friday, primarily to protest the 'unauthorised construction' of the 'Tiger Road'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 'Tiger Road (also known as German Road)' is a voluntary road project initiated by Kuki-Zo organisations to connect Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has appealed to the Naga body to immediately lift the bandh and allow the safe passage of Kuki-Zo people through the Naga-inhabited areas of the state. It said in the aftermath of the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023, the Kuki-Zo people "have been left with no viable option but to seek alternate routes for movement, as transit through Meitei-dominated areas has become unsafe and impossible. " "We firmly believe that any misunderstandings or grievances can and should be addressed through peaceful dialogue and mutual respect," the KZC stated. The bandh supporters have imposed road blocks at several strategic points at Makhan in Kangpokpi district, Tongjei Maril (Old Cachar Road), Dolang Chiru, Tupul to Noney Road, Tupul-Noney Junction and Longsai-Khoupum Road in Noney district, disrupting the movement of people and vehicles. The FNCC contends that the construction of the German and Tiger roads through Naga ancestral lands without their consent is a "blatant disregard of our traditional ownership and rights over our land". The FNCC also insists on the dismantling of Suspension of Operations (SoO) camps of Kuki militant groups, asserting that their presence near Naga areas poses a security threat and constitutes an illegal settlement in Naga territory. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The committee also condemned illegal poppy cultivation in the region, linking it to the ongoing demographic and territorial issues. The bandh is backed by major Naga civil bodies such as the Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief Chairman Association and a coalition of Naga tribal bodies. The FNCC has described the bandh as a "peaceful but firm protest" and called for Naga community unity. It warns that continued unauthorised activities by Kukis, including road renaming and expansion, will be regarded as acts of provocation and aggression in Naga territories.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Resettlement plan for violence-displaced unclear: Manipur Congress chief
BISHNUPUR (Manipur) The Manipur government's three-phase resettlement plan for people displaced by a long-drawn conflict lacks clarity and could deepen the divide between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo people, State Congress president Keisham Meghachandra said. He said the government's decision to execute the plan by December would merely result in shifting the internally displaced people (IDP) from relief camps to prefabricated units, both in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo-inhabited hills, instead of facilitating their return to the homes they abandoned or were forced to leave. Thousands of people — Kuki-Zos from the Imphal Valley and Meiteis from the surrounding hills — were displaced after the ethnic conflict in Manipur broke out on May 3, 2023. On July 4, Manipur's Chief Secretary P.K. Singh said a three-phase resettlement plan for the IDP had been worked out with the Centre. The first of these three phases was underway, and the next two phases would be undertaken in October and December. 'No road map' 'This resettlement plan is unacceptable to the Congress because the government is unclear. There is no concrete road map, and it is designed to deepen the division between the communities and prolong the displacement of the IDP,' Mr. Meghachandra told The Hindu during an inspection of prefabricated houses for the displaced people in Bishnupur district's Phubala and Saitul. 'There are no efforts by the government under the President's Rule to bring the two communities together, and today is the 796th day since the conflict started. It is sad that even after two years and two months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not found time to visit our State or discuss the conflict in Parliament or elsewhere, as if Manipur is not a part of India,' he said. The State Congress president, who represents the Wangkhem constituency in the 60-member Assembly, also slammed the government for claiming Meitei and Kuki-Zo farmers 'working eyeball to eyeball' on the periphery of the Imphal Valley have begun sharing water. 'Water has always been flowing down from the hills to the Valley areas naturally, especially during monsoon,' he said, insisting that the government should show seriousness in thinking about peace to let the communities live together and share resources. 'The government is responsible for what has happened [in Manipur] so far, and it has to take care of what will happen. But this government of the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah is not serious, not sincere,' Mr. Meghachandra said. Announcing the resettlement plan, the Chief Secretary claimed some of the internally displaced people have started 'going back', their number reducing from the initial 62,000 to 57,000. Those who exited the relief camps moved into prefabricated houses, each measuring 20 feet by 20 feet and worth ₹9.3 lakh. Most of the occupied houses are in the Imphal East and Imphal West districts. The Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited has been entrusted with constructing these prefabricated units.
