The Manipur Naga road protest has gained momentum as chiefs of the Eastern Liangmai region raised strong objections to the proposed “German road” project. They claim that the planned route passes through traditional Naga ancestral lands without prior consultation or consent from the tribal authorities.
The term “German road” refers to a major infrastructure plan meant to improve road connectivity across the state. While it promises economic development, local tribal leaders argue that the project threatens indigenous rights and violates constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes.
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Chiefs Demand Protection of Ancestral Lands
The Eastern Liangmai chiefs issued a joint statement denouncing the road alignment through their villages and surrounding forest areas. They warned that proceeding with the project in its current form would lead to social unrest and legal battles.
According to them, the government has ignored their repeated appeals to review the proposed road alignment. As guardians of Naga customs and land, they stressed the need to protect not only territory but also cultural and historical heritage.
Manipur Naga Road Protest Gains Tribal Support
The Manipur Naga road protest has found backing from several other tribal communities across the state. Organizations such as the Zeliangrong Baudi and the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) have issued statements supporting the Liangmai chiefs’ stand.
These groups argue that development projects must respect tribal land rights. They believe the government’s unilateral approach to the German road project reflects a pattern of excluding indigenous voices from policymaking.
German Road Project Faces Growing Scrutiny
The German road project is part of a larger infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing road connectivity in the Northeast. Funded partly by international agencies, the project has been welcomed in some quarters for its potential to improve trade, transportation, and border security.
However, in tribal-dominated regions, concerns about land ownership, environmental damage, and cultural disruption are taking center stage. The Manipur government has yet to respond publicly to the Liangmai protest, although sources suggest internal reviews are underway.
Chiefs Call for Transparent Consultation
One of the key demands of the Eastern Liangmai chiefs is transparent consultation under the provisions of the Forest Rights Act and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They argue that any roadwork on ancestral land must follow due process and involve community-level decision-making.
They also emphasized that consent must come from tribal councils, not just district authorities. “Without our approval, no project can enter our land,” one chief said during a press briefing.
Land Rights and Legal Frameworks
Under the Indian Constitution, tribal communities have special protections over land ownership and governance. The Manipur Naga road protest highlights how development can clash with these legal safeguards if not handled sensitively.
Legal experts note that constructing roads or acquiring land in Scheduled Areas requires Gram Sabha consent and a detailed environmental impact assessment. In this case, critics argue, both steps were either skipped or conducted without full participation.
Voices from the Community
Residents of Liangmai-inhabited villages echoed the concerns of their chiefs. Many fear that road construction could lead to deforestation, displacement, and an influx of outsiders. Elderly villagers recalled how earlier projects had left communities without compensation or long-term benefits.
Women leaders also raised concerns about the potential impact on sacred sites, water sources, and traditional livelihood systems. “We support development, but not at the cost of our identity,” one of them said.
Next Steps and Warning of Resistance
The Liangmai chiefs have given the state government a deadline to respond to their concerns. If the authorities fail to act, they plan to intensify the Manipur Naga road protest with peaceful demonstrations, road blockades, and legal action.
Some groups have even warned that they will stop the construction forcefully if the project enters their land without permission. While no violence has occurred so far, tensions remain high in the affected regions.
The Manipur Naga road protest led by the Eastern Liangmai chiefs is a reminder that infrastructure growth must go hand-in-hand with indigenous rights. As the German road project moves forward, the state government faces mounting pressure to revise its approach, ensure transparent consultation, and respect traditional land ownership.
If handled carefully, the situation could lead to a model where development and cultural preservation go hand in hand. Otherwise, it risks becoming another flashpoint in the state’s already complex ethnic landscape.
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