Manipur: Defacement of Naga village monoliths triggers road blockade

Imphal: Tension mounted following the vandalism of Naga village monoliths inscribed with the words “Kukiland” and “Stay Away,” triggering a prompt road blockade and affecting several passenger vehicles in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.

Reports stated that residents of Ireng Naga village in Kangpokpi district blocked the Ireng road at around 10 am on Monday in protest against the vandalism of public property in their village on Sunday night.

The miscreants, suspected to belong to the Suspension of Operation (SoO) group Kuki National Front–President (KNF-P), allegedly dismantled the entry gate of Ireng Naga village and defaced the village memorial stone by writing slogans such as “Kukiland” and “Stay Away.”

The report further said that a vehicle waiting shed built at the village gate, along with chairs kept at the shed, was also vandalised, causing damage.

The indefinite road blockade resulted in a large number of vehicles travelling on the so-called Tiger Road or German Road being stranded. The German Road, also known as the Tiger Road, in Manipur is a controversial, partially built road in the hilly region that mainly connects Churachandpur to Kangpokpi.

Its construction was allegedly initiated by Kuki groups without proper government sanction, sparking ethnic tensions with Naga communities, who claim the road encroaches on their ancestral lands. The road has also been linked to illegal activities and unauthorised settlements, leading the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to order a halt to construction due to the absence of environmental clearance.