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Key Points

The Kuki-Zo Council has urged the FNCC to lift its shutdown in Naga-inhabited areas, calling it a barrier to essential movement. They emphasized the German-Tiger Road as a vital humanitarian route for the community. The FNCC defends the shutdown as a protest against perceived threats to Naga ancestral lands. Meanwhile, the KZC denies allegations labeling these roads as drug routes, calling them baseless and divisive.

Key Points: Kuki-Zo Council Urges FNCC to Lift Manipur Naga Area Shutdown

  • FNCC shutdown blocks Kuki-Zo movement in Naga areas
  • KZC calls German-Tiger Road a critical lifeline
  • Naga groups protest alleged land rights violations
  • Kuki-Zo condemns Meitei claims of drug routes
2 min read

Manipur: Kuki-Zo body again urges FNCC to lift shutdown, allow passage through Naga areas

Kuki-Zo Council appeals for safe passage amid Naga shutdown, citing German-Tiger Road as a vital humanitarian lifeline in Manipur.

"The German-Tiger Road is a humanitarian lifeline initiated out of sheer necessity - Ginza Vualzong, KZC"

Imphal, July 20

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.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from Northeast India, I know how complex these land issues are. But cutting off lifelines is not the answer. Both Naga and Kuki-Zo communities have valid concerns that need proper dialogue. Hope peace prevails soon 🙏
A
Aman W
The central government has failed Manipur completely. First the violence, now this road blockade - where is the administration? People are suffering while politicians play blame games. Shameful!
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Shreya B
While I understand Naga concerns about ancestral lands, calling these roads "drug routes" without proof is irresponsible. Many innocent people depend on these routes for daily needs and medical emergencies. Let's not spread misinformation!
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Vikram M
This is exactly why we need better infrastructure planning in Northeast. When government fails to provide proper roads, communities are forced to make their own arrangements, leading to such conflicts. Development should be inclusive from the start.
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Nisha Z
My cousin in Churachandpur hasn't been able to get medicines for a week because of this shutdown. When will our leaders understand that common people suffer the most in these conflicts? 😔

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