"Tiger road poses existential threat"
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 17: The construction of Tiger road or German road, and the plan to station SoO militant camps along and around the road pose a serious threat to the existence of the Liangmai community in Kangpokpi and the Nagas as a whole, said social activist Diphiu Prinmai.
The road isn't recognised by the Government, and its development, if allowed, will disturb peace, adversely impact the existence, suste- nance, and rights of the indigenous Liangmai people in the region in the near future, he said.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, the social activist from Lanka village said the indigenous Liangmai community in the region has genuine security concerns about the so-called Tiger or German road.
While the Tiger/German road was developed illegally, the Government of India is planning to station Kuki SoO camps along the road and in the region. The Liangmai community sees this as the start of a proxy war that may soon come their way, Prinmai said.
The Government of India's plan to station Kuki SoO camps in the region is flawed, and it shows its lack of understanding of the core issues of the current crises facing the State, Prinmai added.
The development of the road and presence of SoO camps in the region will lay the foundation for mass influx and settlement of illegal immigrants in the region, Prinmai asserted.
"A strict pre-emptive measure to avoid such issues in the future is strongly needed," Prinmai said.
Prinmai added that the influx of illegal immigrants into Manipur has increased during the conflict which started on May 3, 2023.
"Amid the conflict in the State, many new villages of illegal immigrants have popped up in the hills. The President's Rule's administration has however remained blind to this issue of serious security concern," Prinmai said.
Speaking more about the Tiger/German road, Prinmai said, "There is already tension in the region, and further development of the road could worsen it".
The road named after leaders of Kuki SoO militant groups was developed in Liangmai inhabited areas illegally amid heightened tension between Meiteis and Kukis.
After a strong objection was raised to the construction of the road, a waiting shed at Ireng village was destroyed and defaced on January 11 recently, Prinmai said.
Words such as "Kukiland", and "Stay away" were found written on sacred monoliths.
"The writings, without a doubt, indicated it was done by members of armed Kuki groups," Prinmai said.
This incident then triggered a protest and forced the Liangmai community in the region and civil society organisations to block the road to Kukis. The chairman of Liangmai Ireng village was even threatened by SoO Kuki militants over the phone for imposing the bandh, Prinmai said.
Saitu Assembly Constituency in Kangpokpi district has many Liangmai villages.
Leikhampokpi village has about 60 households, Makhan has about 250, Khunkhu has around 80, Konsakhul has 70, Lanka has 130 and Ireng Khul has about 120 households.
The primary occupation of the Liangmai population in the region is agriculture. Farmers mainly grow ginger and turmeric. They sell vegetables and other farm produce at Kanglatongbi market, and at Imphal.
Prinmai said the community is strictly against opium poppy cultivation.
While the villages have good access to electricity, water and telecommunication networks, they are lacking in school and healthcare infrastructure, Prinmai said.
There is only one health and wellness centre at Makhan, however there are no doctors or nurses, he said.
IMPHAL, Jan 17: The construction of Tiger road or German road, and the plan to station SoO militant camps along and around the road pose a serious threat to the existence of the Liangmai community in Kangpokpi and the Nagas as a whole, said social activist Diphiu Prinmai.
The road isn't recognised by the Government, and its development, if allowed, will disturb peace, adversely impact the existence, suste- nance, and rights of the indigenous Liangmai people in the region in the near future, he said.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, the social activist from Lanka village said the indigenous Liangmai community in the region has genuine security concerns about the so-called Tiger or German road.
While the Tiger/German road was developed illegally, the Government of India is planning to station Kuki SoO camps along the road and in the region. The Liangmai community sees this as the start of a proxy war that may soon come their way, Prinmai said.
The Government of India's plan to station Kuki SoO camps in the region is flawed, and it shows its lack of understanding of the core issues of the current crises facing the State, Prinmai added.
The development of the road and presence of SoO camps in the region will lay the foundation for mass influx and settlement of illegal immigrants in the region, Prinmai asserted.
"A strict pre-emptive measure to avoid such issues in the future is strongly needed," Prinmai said.
Prinmai added that the influx of illegal immigrants into Manipur has increased during the conflict which started on May 3, 2023.
"Amid the conflict in the State, many new villages of illegal immigrants have popped up in the hills. The President's Rule's administration has however remained blind to this issue of serious security concern," Prinmai said.
Speaking more about the Tiger/German road, Prinmai said, "There is already tension in the region, and further development of the road could worsen it".
The road named after leaders of Kuki SoO militant groups was developed in Liangmai inhabited areas illegally amid heightened tension between Meiteis and Kukis.
After a strong objection was raised to the construction of the road, a waiting shed at Ireng village was destroyed and defaced on January 11 recently, Prinmai said.
Words such as "Kukiland", and "Stay away" were found written on sacred monoliths.
"The writings, without a doubt, indicated it was done by members of armed Kuki groups," Prinmai said.
This incident then triggered a protest and forced the Liangmai community in the region and civil society organisations to block the road to Kukis. The chairman of Liangmai Ireng village was even threatened by SoO Kuki militants over the phone for imposing the bandh, Prinmai said.
Saitu Assembly Constituency in Kangpokpi district has many Liangmai villages.
Leikhampokpi village has about 60 households, Makhan has about 250, Khunkhu has around 80, Konsakhul has 70, Lanka has 130 and Ireng Khul has about 120 households.
The primary occupation of the Liangmai population in the region is agriculture. Farmers mainly grow ginger and turmeric. They sell vegetables and other farm produce at Kanglatongbi market, and at Imphal.
Prinmai said the community is strictly against opium poppy cultivation.
While the villages have good access to electricity, water and telecommunication networks, they are lacking in school and healthcare infrastructure, Prinmai said.
There is only one health and wellness centre at Makhan, however there are no doctors or nurses, he said.