Manipur's Naga body lifts blockade on road 'illegally' constructed by Kukis to avoid Meitei areas

Guwahati: Manipur government on Friday said that Foothill Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC) agreed to lift the "indefinite" blockade imposed on July 18 on a road that was constructed by Kuki organisations to avoid the Meitei-dominated areas.

The development came hours after Kuki organisations imposed a "retaliatory" blockade on the NH-2 that affected movement to Manipur's Naga dominated districts.

This was informed in a resolution signed by Manipur Home Commission N. Ashok Kumar and leaders of atleast four Naga organisations in Manipur. The resolution was adopted following a meeting between FNCC and the state government officials in Imphal.

It said the FNCC agreed to lift the blockade after Manipur government assured to initiate legal action against those who had constructed the road without permission or approval from the government.

"Necessary legal action will be taken after verifying the status of such illegal construction/naming, if any on the ground," said the resolution.

Road to conflict:

The 120-km road was allegedly constructed by Kuki insurgent groups to connect Kuki-dominated Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts during the Meitei-Kuki conflict that erupted in May 2023.

After the violence erupted, both Meiteis and Kukis stopped visiting each other's territory in order to avoid further conflict.

The road was constructed with donations from the Kukis and for movement of the Kukis between Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, a leader in a Kuki group told DH.

The road was named as "German Road" or "Tiger Road." The Kuki leader said German and Tiger were names of top leaders of a Kuki insurgent group.

Naga groups, however, got angry as the road passes through some Naga inhibited areas and they were not informed about the construction.

As the impasse continued, Manipur Police recently asked the FNCC to withdraw the blockade but no decision was taken affecting movement in the Kuki-dominated areas.

As the Nagas remained firm on their stand, Kuki Inpi Manipur on Friday resorted to blockade on the NH-2 that stranded several goods trucks carrying essentials to Naga dominated Senapati district, sources said.