Keep Tiger Road in abeyance : MNYO to Delhi

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 14: The Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) has urged the Government of India and the authorities concerned to keep the proposed construction of Tiger/German Road in abeyance until land disputes are amicably settled.
The MNYO has expressed strong opposition to the proposed construction of the Tiger/German Road from Motbung, Kangpokpi district to Churachandpur.
The name "Tiger/German Road" refers to Kuki terrorists or armed militants, which is objectionable, the MNYO asserted in a press statement.
It urged the Government of India and the authorities concerned not to succumb to the pressure from the Kuki community.
The land dispute between Nagas and Kukis along the foothills range of Mount Koubru and the Loktak Project area has led to several physical assaults and confrontations, it said.
The Naga people living in these areas are in constant fear due to the presence of heavily armed Kuki militants without adequate checks by the Manipur Government.
The district authorities in Kuki-dominated areas often favour Kukis in conflicts and disputes over land and other matters, suppressing the rights of Naga people, it said.
The MNYO claimed that it represents various Naga tribes who are living to the south of Motbung, Kangpokpi district till Laimanai Tingpui, Sadu Kabui and Loktak Power House, Leimatak ànd Loktak Project area, Churachandpur District including Liangmai Naga, Rongmei (Kabui), Poumai Naga, Mao Naga, Kharam Naga, Aimol Naga, Chiru Naga, Kom Naga, Inpui Naga, Koireng Naga, and Chothe Naga who have been defending their ancestral lands with resilience since time immemorial.
The MNYO is not opposed to road construction in Manipur or Naga ancestral lands, as road connectivity is for the benefit and development of the people. However, the proposed Tiger/German Road construction could exacerbate existing tensions and land disputes. The construction of this proposed road without proper verification of the ground situation may prove to be counter-productive to the very essence and objective of road connectivity in the name of development and may further foment communal tension and discord between various ethnic groups, it said.
It will be like opening ‘Pandora’s Box’, the MNYO asserted.
The MNYO has expressed strong opposition to the shifting of Kuki Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps to mixed areas of Nagas and Kukis, as it may create anxiety and pose a threat to peace and stability.
The SoO camps should be confined to Kuki areas, avoiding proximity to Naga villages or contested areas.
It is learnt from reliable sources that the authorities have surveyed various areas in both Kuki dominated districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi and other adjoining areas which are in proximity to other ethnic groups particularly Naga areas. Some of the areas which have been surveyed included Loktak Project area, Kangchup foothills range, Koubru range, Kangpokpi area towards Naga, Saikul area towards Naga, Kotlen along National Highway No. 37 and other mixed areas.
The MNYO then urged the authorities concerned to relocate the Kuki SoO camps purely in Kuki areas only and remove those SoO camps which are located in Naga area or close to Naga area.
It also asked the authorities concerned not to locate the SoO camps along highways, both National and State highways or near strategic locations like National projects or railway line. The MNYO further urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to review the number of SoO camps in the interest of peaceful coexistence among all ethnic communities in Manipur.