Tiger Road, SoO camps in Naga areas opposed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 14 2025: Two Naga organisations - the Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM) and the Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) - have raised strong objections to the proposed construction of Tiger/German Road and the establishment of Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps in Naga-inhabited foothill areas west of the Imphal valley.

RNCM recently submitted a memorandum to union home minister Amit Shah through the Governor, urging immediate intervention to halt the road project and prevent the setting up of SoO camps in the region.

Meanwhile, MNYO also issued a press statement on Monday expressing deep concern over the evolving situation, which they argue could worsen land disputes and heighten in-ter-community tensions.

In its memorandum, RNCM said that the proposed road projects, referred to as German Road and Tiger Road, have been initiated by Kuki Zo mil itant groups, and claimed that the project involves housing "1,000 strong armed cadres" along the range under the SoO agreement.

The Council alleged that the development is part of a larger layout plan to accommodate non-Manipuri speaking Myanmarese citizens and build a settlement base in Naga areas.

RNCM highlighted that the roads would connect Churachandpur and Kangpokpi via Naga villages such as Joujangtek, Ichum Kabui, Natok Kabui, Charoipandongba, Ireng and Waphong, which are home to Rongmei, Liangmei and Inpui Nagas.

It stated that setting up SoO camps in these areas to accommodate "historically hostile armed groups", threatens the integrity and security of local populations.

The Council expressed serious doubts about the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs, accusing it of enabling one community to gain strategic advantage over others through infrastructure and logistic support.

It further argued that positioning armed cadres at strategic locations controlling National Highway 3, the ADB-funded international highway and Tongjei Maril Road could effectively isolate Naga-in-habited western districts from the state capital.

Calling the move "an act of intimidation, dominance and highly provocative", RNCM warned that such "designed policies and systematically planned aggression" could lead to renewed ethnic conflict reminiscent of the early 1990s.The organisation reiterated its commitment to protect the land and people, and called for cessation of all activities related to the road and camp construction.

At the same time, Manipur Naga Youth Organisation (MNYO) also strongly opposed the proposed construction of the Tiger/German Road from Motbung in Kangpokpi district to Churachandpur, stating that the road's name itself is objectionable as it refers to Kuki armed groups.

MNYO represents various Naga tribes living between Motbung and the Loktak Project area in Churachandpur, including Rongmei (Kabui), Liangmai, Mao, Poumai, Kharam, Kom, Aimol, Inpui, Koireng, Chiru and Chothe Nagas.

The organisation expressed concern that the project may worsen the ongoing land dispute between Nagas and Kukis, particularly in sensitive zones like Mount Koubru foothills and the Loktak Project area, where previous confrontations have occurred.

While stating it is not against road construction for public benefit, MNYO warned that proceeding with the project "without proper verification of the ground situation" would be "massively counterproductive" and could open a "Pandora's Box" of ethnic tension.

The organisation urged that the project be kept in abeyance until land ownership and jurisdiction issues are resolved amicably.

On the issue of Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps, MNYO stated that shifting such camps into mixed or Naga-dominated areas would cause "anxiety" and threaten regional peace.

It said that SoO camps should be located exclusively in Kuki areas and not near Naga villages, highways, national projects or sensitive strategic points.

The organisation also raised concerns about reports of surveys conducted in Loktak Project area, Kangchup foothills, Koubru range, Saikul and Kotlen along NH-37 for the proposed relocation of SoO camps.

It demanded the removal of any existing SoO camps already located in or near Naga areas and called on the MHA to review the number and placement of camps to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Both RNCM and MNYO urged the union government to act immediately to prevent the escalation of tensions and in the interest of peaceful coexistence among all ethnic communities in Manipur.

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