Latest news with #Meitei
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Displaced Manipur families get ready to return home under security cover
GUWAHATI Several Meitei families displaced by ethnic violence are gearing up to return to their homes on the periphery of Manipur's Imphal Valley under security cover. Officials in the State's Imphal West district said a few people had begun cleaning the houses they abandoned after the conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities broke out on May 3, 2023, leaving more than 250 dead over two years. In some cases, the people began repairing their houses damaged or destroyed during the peak of the conflict. Their families are expected to move in after the houses are made liveable. The district authorities and security forces enabled the displaced people from a village of 21 households in New Keithelmanbi to clean and repair their houses. The village is on the boundary with the Kangpokpi district, dominated by the Kuki-Zo community. Rations will continue 'The displaced people are being resettled in their original homes in coordination with the Deputy Commissioners of the adjoining districts. After returning home, they will continue to receive ration and benefits under the State livelihood mission,' Imphal West's Deputy Commissioner Mayanglambam Rajkumar told journalists after inspecting a few deserted fringe villages on Tuesday. 'Security will be provided to the people wherever there is a possibility of their returning home,' he said. On July 4, the State's former Chief Secretary, Prashant Kumar Singh, said the first of a three-phase resettlement plan for the internally displaced people, chalked out in association with the Centre, was under way. He claimed that about 5,000 of some 62,000 people displaced in the violence had returned to their villages. He also said the government planned to rehabilitate most of the displaced people by December and subsequently close the relief camps, many in educational institutions. The Manipur government is expected to provide a financial assistance of ₹3.03 lakh each to the 7,000-8,000 families, whose houses were destroyed during the violence, so that they can rebuild them wherever they want. The government, however, is aware that about 10,000 Meitei people would not be able to go back to their homes in the Kuki-majority Moreh (Tengnoupal district), Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts. They will be given the option of staying in some 1,000 prefabricated houses being built by Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited. A similar arrangement will be made for the Kuki-Zo people who may be unable to return to Imphal Valley.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Returning Home Is Just The First Step For Displaced Meitei Families In Manipur
Imphal West: After more than two years of heartbreak and displacement, several Meitei families made a poignant return to Kangchup, a village nestled in Lamshang subdivision of Imphal West district in Manipur. Once filled with laughter and life, their homes now stand as charred remnants of the ethnic violence that erupted in early May 2023 between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. The flames not only consumed their houses but also uprooted their lives, forcing them into relief camps overnight. Today, amidst the ruins, hope flickers again. With the government announcing plans to rehabilitate thousands of displaced families across the state, these villagers dare to dream of rebuilding, not just their homes, but also the bonds that once held their community together. Internally displaced person Angom Ongbi Memchoubi Devi expressed her gratitude. "We truly appreciate the government's initiative, and we are very happy at the prospect of returning to our respective homes. Living as dependents on others has been extremely difficult and uncomfortable," Ms Memchoubi told ANI. "Life in the relief camps is especially challenging. Many of us have been crammed into single rooms with no privacy. Even in the pre-fabricated shelters, the rooms are too small, and the attached bathrooms make daily life quite inconvenient. We wholeheartedly welcome the decision to allow us to return home," she added. More than 50,000 people from the Meitei community and Kuki tribes were internally displaced during the ethnic clashes, and the majority have spent over two years living in relief camps, waiting, hoping, and enduring. In Faijang area of Kangpokpi district, rows of fabricated sheet shelters have become makeshift homes, weathering both time and hardship. Here, 896 people from 184 families continue to live in limbo. While some young people have moved to other districts in search of education or jobs, many remain, with nowhere else to go. Camp in-charge Momoi acknowledged the government has provided essential facilities, but her heart still longs for Imphal, the city where her life once felt whole. In-charge of the IDP camp, Momoi, spoke to ANI about the current situation. "There's no major hardship here. All necessary facilities are being provided by the government. In terms of difficulties, there's nothing significant. But yes, we do miss Imphal -- we've lived there since childhood, went to school and college there, so of course we miss it," she said. At the IDP camp in Faijang, we met Thomas, a young man with a dream and a voice fluent in Hindi. Having lived in both Imphal and Delhi, Thomas aspires to become a journalist. But in the shadows of displacement, his journey is far from easy. He said the biggest challenge facing residents of the camp and nearby underdeveloped areas is not just survival, but access to quality healthcare, a basic right that still feels out of reach. "All of us from the Kuki community who can't return to Imphal due to the conflict have to go to Senapati. After that, for medical facilities, we have to travel to Dimapur, Guwahati, or even Delhi. We IDPs face many problems; some had their homes burned, some were looted, and some lost family members. Many people have also become mentally disturbed because of all this," said Thomas. As Meitei and Kuki families slowly begin their return, their resilience stands as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's endurance. Yet, true rehabilitation goes beyond physical resettlement; it requires lasting peace, adequate security, and access to essential services like healthcare and education. Only then can these communities move from survival to rebuilding lives with dignity, hope, and a renewed sense of belonging.
Time of India
2 days ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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.
