The construction of the “Tiger” or “German” Road—an alternative highway passing through the foothills of Manipur—initiated by the Kuki community has drawn sharp opposition from several Naga organisations, even as Kuki organisations defend the initiative as a humanitarian necessity. On 18 July 2025, the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) launched an indefinite blockade opposing the road project passing through ancestral Naga territory (approximately eight villages) without their consent.
The road, which connects Churachandpur to Kangpokpi, was reportedly named after German H Kuki, a leader of the Kuki National Front-Military Council, and was opened for public use in 2024. The proposed routes, particularly the Lamka–Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal–Chandel–Lamka roads, were envisioned as alternative supply routes for the Kuki-Zo community.
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community, has defended the road project, stating that it was necessary to revive the route due to ongoing ethnic violence since 3 May 2023, which rendered travel through Meitei-majority areas unsafe for Kuki travellers.
The FNCC, which initiated the bandh from midnight on 18 July 2025, declared, "This is a necessary action to protect our land and people." They referred to the road project as an "unauthorised" construction and a deliberate attempt to legitimise Kuki claims over Naga land.
In June 2025, the FNCC had criticised Kuki militant groups and volunteers allegedly operating within Naga territory. It also categorically rejected the idea of a "Kukiland," stating, "The creation of imaginary homelands on someone else's land is not coexistence; it is encroachment, and it will be dealt with an iron hand."
The FNCC accused Kuki armed groups of constructing bunkers, shelters, and roadblocks within Naga territories and demanded the immediate dismantling of all Suspension of Operations (SoO) camps allegedly located in these areas. Protesters have enforced blockades across key transit points, including Makhan in Kangpokpi, the Old Cachar Road (Tongjei Maril), Dolang Chiru, Tupul-Noney Junction, and Longsai-Khoupum Road in Noney district. The committee has also restricted the movement of Kuki individuals in Naga-inhabited foothill areas.
Other Naga organisations, including the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO), the Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC), and the Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief Chairman Association (ELNCCA), have supported the FNCC's stance.
In a strongly worded statement, the MIYC indicated that the road could provoke ethnic violence. The ELNCCA has demanded that the central government halt any renaming of places, dismantle SoO camps from Naga lands, and stop the proposed expansion near critical corridors such as the Haflong–Imphal highway. "This is not just a concern anymore. It’s a threat, and we will not compromise any further," ELNCCA stated.
The Naga groups have also alleged narcotics-linked activities, claiming that these roads and camps facilitate poppy cultivation and the movement of drugs and arms.
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) and KZC have condemned Meitei civil society groups for objecting to these routes. KOHUR claims that these roads are essential for providing access to food, medicine, education, and healthcare for thousands of displaced tribal families. Citing Article 21 of the Indian constitution, KOHUR stated, “The Government of India is fully aware that blocking access to essential supplies is unconstitutional and immoral.”
Ginza Vualzong, Secretary of Information & Publicity for the KZC, said, "We call upon the central government to reject these divisive and baseless allegations [ illicit drug activities] and, instead, take steps to improve the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as essential inter-district lifelines.”
Following a meeting between senior police officers and representatives of the FNCC on 28 July 2025, the Manipur Police appealed to the FNCC to lift the blockade and allow safe passage through the foothills for the Kuki-Zo people.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to cancel the project
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Common
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Religious/Sacred/Cultural value, Other environmental services
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Violation of free prior informed consent
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
The Ministry of Home Affairs; Manipur State Government; Manipur Police
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Kuki-Zo Council; Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust; Manipur Naga Youth Organisation; Foothills Naga Coordination Committee; Manipur International Youth Centre; Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief Chairman Association;
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Sarup is a researcher and doctoral student in Political Science at the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. His research interests lie in the area of ethnic and land conflicts, political ecology and development and urban spaces of Northeast India. He has a Masters’ degree in Development Studies from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. He has previously done research/internships with NABARD, Oxford Microfinance Initiative (renamed Oxford Development Consultancy) and CSDS (Lokniti Programme).
