Manipur: Tangkhul Naga villagers stage massive protest against proposed bypass of NH 202

Imphal: The Tangkhul Naga tribes residing in Lunghar village in Manipur's Ukhrul district staged a massive but peaceful protest on Friday against the proposed bypass of National Highway 202 (NH 202) in and around their village.

The tribal villagers, including men, women, elders, and youth, stood shoulder to shoulder, united by a single demand displayed on placards: “Link us, and don’t leave us behind,” “No National Highway. No Development,” and “No to bypass. Yes to development.”

A large banner spelled out the collective stand: “Peaceful Protest Against Bypassing Lunghar Village in Expanding NH 202 to 2 Lane.”

Village Headman LW Mataisang said, “We were happy for a few days and weeks. But when we learned that the road would bypass our village, it deeply hurt the sentiments of our people.”

Lunghar is known across the district as one of the largest producers of horticultural and agricultural produce.

LW Vareiso, Secretary of the Village Authority, warned that diverting the road would be equivalent to severing their lifeline, making it harder to transport produce and wiping out small businesses built over generations.

The Village Authority traced its struggle back to a 2017 survey that initially included the existing NH 150 alignment.

The bypass proposal surfaced without consultation with the village authorities and local organizations.

In 2022, a resurvey was conducted under the supervision of the district commissioner.