In a letter dated August 6, DoNER Joint Director Paosishmuaing Tunglut forwarded a Kuki Inpi memorandum (dated August 1) to the Manipur Chief Secretary, highlighting the “grave humanitarian crisis” in Kuki-dominated hill areas due to prolonged blockades and ethnic violence since May 2023.
TFM Report
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has stepped into Manipur’s simmering ethnic disputes, urging the state government to consider a dedicated road corridor to the violence-hit hill areas—a demand spearheaded by the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of Kuki tribes.
The move comes even as the state denied allegations of illegal road construction following talks with Naga groups, exposing the fragile interplay of development and ethnic tensions in the region.
DoNER’s Push for Hill Connectivity
In a letter dated August 6, Joint Director Paosishmuaing Tunglut of DoNER forwarded a Kuki Inpi memorandum (dated August 1) to the Manipur Chief Secretary, highlighting the “grave humanitarian crisis” in Kuki-dominated hill areas due to prolonged blockades and ethnic violence since May 2023. The memorandum, addressed to President of India pleaded for urgent intervention, stating that critical roadways had been “blockaded by hostile actors”, severing access to essentials like healthcare and supplies.
The proposed corridor aims to restore lifeline connectivity between the hills, other hills districts and Imphal Valley, with DoNER stressing the need for “policy-aligned prioritization” by the state. However, the Manipur government has yet to respond publicly to the proposal, which risks inflaming tensions with some groups opposed to perceived “separatist infrastructure.”
Naga Blockade Called Off After Talks
In a parallel development, the Foothill Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) lifted its blockade on Friday following assurances from the state government that no unauthorized road construction had been sanctioned in disputed foothill zones. The FNCC had alleged illegal roadworks and “unauthorized naming of roads” in conflict-sensitive areas, prompting protests.
State officials, however, denied the claims during negotiations, asserting that all projects undergo due process. “No illegal construction will be tolerated, and any verified violations will face legal action,” a government representative stated. The resolution comes days after the FNCC’s blockade disrupted supply chains, exacerbating shortages in the violence-scarred state.
Ethnic Fault Lines and Development Debates
The twin developments underscore Manipur’s deepening infrastructure politicization. The Kuki groups argue the hill corridor is vital for survival amid blockades and violence while Naga organizations view unchecked construction as territorial encroachment.