The Kuki-Zo road protest has triggered widespread unrest in Manipur’s hill districts, as the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) calls for an indefinite bandh. This strong response comes after Kuki-Zo groups began developing the controversial “Tiger Road” project—an infrastructure initiative that FNCC claims cuts through ancestral Naga territory without consent.
“This road violates our rights and heritage,” said an FNCC leader at a protest rally in Ukhrul.
What Is the Kuki-Zo Road Project?
Connecting Districts, Dividing Communities
The Tiger Road, supported by several Kuki-Zo organizations, aims to link Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. Proponents argue that it will boost mobility, trade, and development in remote hill areas.
However, the FNCC sees it as a territorial incursion. The committee says the road was proposed without engaging Naga stakeholders and cuts across foothill regions historically claimed by the Nagas. For them, it’s more than a transport issue—it’s about protecting identity and land.
Why the Kuki-Zo Road Protest Matters
Long-Standing Ethnic Fault Lines Resurface
Manipur is home to a delicate balance of ethnic groups, and tensions between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities date back decades. The road project is the latest flashpoint, exposing unresolved land disputes and political competition.
By launching the Kuki-Zo road protest, the FNCC asserts its opposition to what it calls “unilateral development” by the Kuki-Zo community. Without mutual agreement, they believe the road could trigger long-term inter-community instability.
FNCC’s Demands: Land Rights First
Bandh as a Call for Recognition
The FNCC’s bandh has led to the closure of markets, roads, and institutions in several Naga foothill areas. Their demands include:
- Immediate halt to construction of the Tiger Road
- Formal recognition of Naga traditional land boundaries
- Transparent consultation before any further development
Civil society groups such as the Naga Women’s Union and All Naga Students’ Federation have thrown their support behind the protest. Demonstrations in Senapati, Ukhrul, and Tamenglong districts remain peaceful but tense.
Government Response and Public Opinion
Authorities Urged to Act
So far, the Manipur government has not issued a direct response to the bandh. However, police have been deployed to sensitive zones, and talks between tribal affairs and home ministry officials are reportedly underway.
Public reactions are mixed. While some view the road as a much-needed step toward progress, others fear that failing to respect indigenous boundaries will deepen communal rifts.
Bigger Picture: Development vs. Consent in Northeast India
Can Infrastructure Be Inclusive?
Manipur’s location in India’s Act East Policy corridor makes it a hub for future connectivity projects. Yet, as the Kuki-Zo road protest shows, development without prior, informed consent from indigenous groups can derail even well-intentioned plans.
“When roads ignore roots, they divide more than they connect,” said a Northeast policy analyst in Imphal.
Projects like Tiger Road must reflect not just economic logic but also cultural legitimacy and ethnic sensitivity.
What Lies Ahead?
Dialogue, Not Division
To avoid a prolonged crisis, the state must:
- Suspend construction in disputed zones
- Initiate peace talks between Kuki-Zo and Naga groups
- Establish a neutral land rights commission
Without proactive governance, the situation may escalate, risking violence and further alienation among communities.
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