Latest news with #KZC
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Manipur Police urge Naga body to lift shutdown, allow passage to Kuki-Zo
Imphal: Manipur Police have urged a leading Naga organisation in the state to lift the shutdown and allow the safe passage to the people belonging to the Kuki-Zo community through the Naga-inhabited areas, officials said on Wednesday. A police official said that a vital meeting between the senior police officials and the leaders of the Foothill Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) was held on Tuesday at the police headquarters, which discussed the demands and grievances submitted by the committee. 'After a detailed deliberation on the issues raised, the Police Department assured the FNCC representatives that all genuine concerns would be examined with utmost seriousness. The Department reiterated its commitment to addressing the matters raised in a timely and appropriate manner,' the official said. He said that in the interest of maintaining peace and public order, the government also appealed to the FNCC to lift the shutdown imposed in the Naga people inhabited mountainous areas, so that the matter can be resolved amicably through continued dialogue and cooperation. The FNCC had called for an indefinite shutdown from July 18 on the movement of Kuki-Zo tribals within the foothill regions of Naga-inhabited areas. The FNCC had stated that the shutdown is a peaceful but firm protest against what it describes as threats to the ancestral land, identity, and security of the Naga people. FNCC Secretary B. Robin Kabui, in a statement, had said that the first concern was the proposed construction of roads through Naga ancestral territories without prior knowledge or consent of the Naga people. The committee termed it a blatant disregard for traditional ownership rights. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community, earlier in a statement, had said that the German-Tiger road in the Naga people's inhabited areas is a humanitarian lifeline that was initiated by Kuki-Zo civil society organisations out of sheer necessity. KZC's Secretary, Information and Publicity, Ginza Vualzong, had said that following the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, it became unsafe and impossible for Kuki-Zo people to travel through Meitei-dominated areas. 'As a result, the community had no choice but to revive and upgrade an old inter-village track, now known as the German-Tiger Road, to connect the districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Similarly, as Sugnu is no longer accessible, we are compelled to depend solely on the Singheu route to stay connected with Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal, despite the absence of a viable bridge,' Vualzong had said in a statement. The KZC strongly condemned the 'baseless and malicious accusations being circulated by certain Meitei groups branding the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as 'drug routes.' "These claims are entirely unfounded and without any legitimate evidence. Such narratives are not only irresponsible but are clearly intended to malign the Kuki-Zo community and disrupt the already fragile connectivity between Kuki-Zo inhabited regions of Manipur," the KZC stated. The KZC urged the Central government to reject these 'divisive and baseless allegations' and, instead, take steps to improve the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as essential inter-district lifelines.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki-Zo seeks Centre's help to improve disputed German-Tiger Road
Guwahati: Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur, appealed to the Centre on Sunday to improve the German-Tiger Road — earlier an inter-village path connecting Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. The community-led initiative for the road, funded through public donations, has sparked disputes, drawing opposition from the Naga community and escalating ethnic tensions. The Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) announced an indefinite bandh on Friday midnight banning the movement of Kukis in the foothills of Naga-inhabited areas, objecting to the road's development through ancestral territories of Nagas without prior consultation. This situation has created tension between Kuki-Zo people and Nagas, while conflicts persist between Kuki-Zos and Meiteis since the ethnic unrest began in Manipur in May 2023. While on Sunday, KZC cautioned that attempts to obstruct Kuki-Zo community connectivity reflect an intention to isolate them. However, Meiteis remain the primary focus of Kuki-Zo people's grievances, rather than the Nagas though the latter have been largely neutral in the tribal Kuki-Zo and non-tribal Meitei conflict in Manipur over the last two years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Update: The Strategy Uses By Successful Intraday Trader TradeWise Learn More Undo "Kuki-Zo Council strongly condemns the baseless and malicious accusations being circulated by certain Meitei groups branding the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as 'drug routes'. These claims are entirely unfounded and without any legitimate evidence," Ginza Vualzong, secretary, information & publicity at KZC, said on Sunday. Despite Naga objections and restrictions, KZC has sought central govt's support to develop both the routes. While Nagas worry about potential land losses, KZC argues that the roads are essential for the community during the ongoing conflict and blockades. The council stressed that the German-Tiger Road provides a safe travel alternative by bypassing Meitei-dominated regions. Sources said some camps of Kuki outfits that are under suspension of operation are in proximity to Naga villages, raising concerns that an upgraded German-Tiger Road would facilitate the groups' movements further. "Nagas fear potential encroachment into their territories by Kuki-Zo people," the source said. Through public contributions, work has commenced to develop basic roads (mostly kutccha), with vehicles already using both routes. According to KZC, improvement of the German-Tiger Road was necessary, as after ethnic violence, it was unsafe for Kuki-Zo people to travel through Meitei-dominated areas. The Singheu Road now connects Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal in absence of viable infrastructure. "We call upon the central govts to reject these divisive and baseless allegations and, instead, take steps to improve German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as essential inter-district lifelines," Ginza said. "We urge the Centre to reject divisive rhetoric and recognize these roads as lifelines—not criminal pathways," Ginza added. "Accusing the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road of being a conduit for illicit activities without presenting credible evidence is nothing short of a deliberate attempt to criminalise the Kuki-Zo community and to isolate us further. This tactic may also reflect a broader political effort to shift discourse away from the unfolding Biren Audio Tape case," Ginza alleged.
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Manipur: Kuki-Zo body again urges FNCC to lift shutdown, allow passage through Naga areas
Imphal: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community, on Sunday once again urged the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) to immediately lift the shutdown and allow the safe passage to the people belonging to the Kuki-Zo community through the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. The FNCC called for an indefinite shutdown from midnight on Friday on the movement of Kuki-Zo tribals within the foothill regions of Naga-inhabited areas. The FNCC had stated that the shutdown is a peaceful but firm protest against what it describes as threats to the ancestral land, identity, and security of the Naga people. FNCC Secretary B. Robin Kabui, in a statement, said that the first concern is the proposed construction of roads through Naga ancestral territories without prior knowledge or consent of the Naga people. The committee termed it a blatant disregard for traditional ownership rights. The KZC, in a statement on Sunday, reiterated that the German-Tiger road in the Naga people's inhabited areas is a humanitarian lifeline that was initiated by Kuki-Zo civil society organisations out of sheer necessity. KZC's Secretary, Information and Publicity, Ginza Vualzong, said that following the ethnic violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, it became unsafe and impossible for Kuki-Zo people to travel through Meitei-dominated areas. 'As a result, the community had no choice but to revive and upgrade an old inter-village track, now known as the German-Tiger Road, to connect the districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Similarly, as Sugnu is no longer accessible, we are compelled to depend solely on the Singheu route to stay connected with Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal, despite the absence of a viable bridge,' Vualzong said in a statement. They strongly condemned the 'baseless and malicious accusations being circulated by certain Meitei groups branding the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as 'drug routes.' These claims are entirely unfounded and without any legitimate evidence. Such narratives are not only irresponsible but are clearly intended to malign the Kuki-Zo community and disrupt the already fragile connectivity between Kuki-Zo inhabited regions of Manipur, the KZC stated. The KZC urged the central government to reject these 'divisive and baseless allegations' and, instead, take steps to improve the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as essential inter-district lifelines.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki-Zo council rejects drug route allegations, defends key roads
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) strongly condemns the baseless and malicious accusations being circulated by certain Meitei groups branding the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as "drug routes." Foothills Naga Coordination Committee ( FNCC ) has declared an indefinite bandh on the movement of Kukis within the foothill regions of Naga-inhabited areas, effective from midnight of July 18. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category healthcare Degree CXO Project Management others Leadership Others MBA Digital Marketing PGDM Operations Management Finance Data Analytics Design Thinking Healthcare Data Science Product Management Artificial Intelligence Data Science Public Policy Cybersecurity MCA Management Technology Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details KZC stated these claims are entirely unfounded and without any legitimate evidence. Such narratives are not only irresponsible but are clearly intended to malign the Kuki-Zo community and disrupt the already fragile connectivity between Kuki-Zo inhabited regions of Manipur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crack NSAT and Win Scholarships | Register Now Narayana Group Sign Up Undo Ginza Vualzong a leader of KZC stated it must be categorically stated that the German-Tiger road is a humanitarian lifeline that was initiated by Kuki-Zo civil society organizations out of sheer necessity. Following the ethnic violence that erupted on 3rd May 2023, it became unsafe and impossible for Kuki-Zo people to travel through Meitei-dominated areas. As a result, the community had no choice but to revive and upgrade an old inter-village track, now known as the German-Tiger Road, to connect the districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Similarly, as Sugnu is no longer accessible, we are compelled to depend solely on the Singheu route to stay connected with Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal, despite the absence of a viable bridge." Live Events He added that these roads serve critical civilian needs: transporting essential goods, school children, patients in need of medical care, and ordinary passengers. It is not a military or commercial route but a community-led initiative to ensure basic survival and connectivity for a people cut off from the rest of the state due to ongoing hostilities and the collapse of inter-community trust. The kuki body stated,"Accusing the German-Tiger Road and Singheu road of being a conduit for illicit activities without presenting credible evidence is nothing short of a deliberate attempt to criminalize the Kuki-Zo community and to isolate us further. We call upon the central governments to reject these divisive and baseless allegations and instead, take steps to improve the German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road as essential inter district lifelines." KZC, "Let it be made clear: The German-Tiger Road and Singheu Road symbolize resilience, not criminality. It reflects a community's will to survive amid violence, displacement, and blockade. Any effort to undermine or disrupt the connectivity of the Kuki-Zo community clearly reflects a deeper intent to marginalize and dismantle the Kuki-Zo people." B. Robin Kabui, Secretary of the FNCC, the first concern is the proposed construction of the German and Tiger roads through Naga ancestral territories without prior knowledge or consent of the Naga people. The committee termed it a blatant disregard for traditional ownership rights. A road constructed in the hill region called the 'German road' has raised concern in the wake of violence Manipur. The road built privately during the ethnic conflict connects Churachandpur to Kangpokpi. It is named after German H Kuki, leader of the Kuki National Front-Military Council (KNF-MC), a militant group based in Manipur. It is said that the road was constructed on the initiative of militant leader German. The road was opened for people in 2024. There are several Kaccha roads linking Churachandpur to neighbouring Mizoram. There are roads between Churachandpur and Myanmar. Myanmar shares a border with Churachandpur. Earlier the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) had expressed strong opposition to the proposed construction of the Tiger/German Road from Motbung in Kangpokpi district to Churachandpur, citing concerns over the road's naming. The organisation urged the Government of India and relevant authorities to reconsider the project and its implications. According to the organisation, the term 'Tiger/German Road' is associated with Kuki armed groups, which the organisation finds objectionable. FNCC stated the second issue raised is the alleged continued presence of illegal Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps of Kuki militant groups in Naga areas, which the FNCC claims poses a serious threat to peace and security. 'Thirdly, the FNCC highlighted the unchecked cultivation of poppy plantations, which it claims not only harms the environment but also fuels drug addiction and criminal activity, thereby endangering the social fabric'. The organisation added, 'These encroachments and activities, if allowed to persist, will irreversibly harm the heritage, security, and future of the Naga people. It further called on Naga bodies and tribal councils to unite in defending their ancestral domain". Meiteis, belonging to the erstwhile ruling class, account for 53% of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Naga and Kuki tribes constitute 40% of the population and live in the hill districts. More than 260 people have been killed and around 70,000 people of different communities rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities since May 3. Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 13, four days after the resignation of N. Biren Singh from the Chief Minister's post.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki-Zo road project sparks bandh call in Manipur's Naga-majority areas
Guwahati: An indefinite bandh for movement of Kuki-Zo people through Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur has been declared by the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) since Friday, primarily to protest the 'unauthorised construction' of the 'Tiger Road'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 'Tiger Road (also known as German Road)' is a voluntary road project initiated by Kuki-Zo organisations to connect Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has appealed to the Naga body to immediately lift the bandh and allow the safe passage of Kuki-Zo people through the Naga-inhabited areas of the state. It said in the aftermath of the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023, the Kuki-Zo people "have been left with no viable option but to seek alternate routes for movement, as transit through Meitei-dominated areas has become unsafe and impossible. " "We firmly believe that any misunderstandings or grievances can and should be addressed through peaceful dialogue and mutual respect," the KZC stated. The bandh supporters have imposed road blocks at several strategic points at Makhan in Kangpokpi district, Tongjei Maril (Old Cachar Road), Dolang Chiru, Tupul to Noney Road, Tupul-Noney Junction and Longsai-Khoupum Road in Noney district, disrupting the movement of people and vehicles. The FNCC contends that the construction of the German and Tiger roads through Naga ancestral lands without their consent is a "blatant disregard of our traditional ownership and rights over our land". The FNCC also insists on the dismantling of Suspension of Operations (SoO) camps of Kuki militant groups, asserting that their presence near Naga areas poses a security threat and constitutes an illegal settlement in Naga territory. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The committee also condemned illegal poppy cultivation in the region, linking it to the ongoing demographic and territorial issues. The bandh is backed by major Naga civil bodies such as the Eastern Liangmai Naga Chief Chairman Association and a coalition of Naga tribal bodies. The FNCC has described the bandh as a "peaceful but firm protest" and called for Naga community unity. It warns that continued unauthorised activities by Kukis, including road renaming and expansion, will be regarded as acts of provocation and aggression in Naga territories.
