Imphal, April 16: Tensions have escalated in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district after the District Development Co-Ordination Committee (DDCC), representing nine tribal communities, demanded that the proposed district headquarters infrastructure be constructed at Khebung instead of the currently planned site.
The committee, which includes representatives from the Aimol, Moyon, Monsang, Maring, Tarao, Chothe, Tangkhul, Khoibu and Lamkang tribes, warned of a total bandh along the Imphal–Moreh road from April 20 if its demands are not met.
Addressing the media, Monsang representative John Khartu alleged administrative lapses under the district authorities and criticised the proposed development at Tengnoupal village as impractical. He cited topographical challenges, limited water availability, sparse population, and the presence of camps of Kuki armed groups under suspension of operations as key concerns.
The DDCC has urged the state government to relocate the district headquarters infrastructure to Khebung, which it described as more suitable due to favourable geographical and developmental conditions. The committee also alleged that the Deputy Commissioner had failed to act on directions from the Additional Secretary (Home) to assess Khebung’s feasibility and submit a report, thereby delaying the decision-making process.
Further concerns were raised over what the committee termed a lack of inclusive consultation. It claimed that during a stakeholder meeting held on July 29, 2025, representatives of the nine tribes were excluded, with discussions limited to members of the Kuki community. According to the DDCC, such actions risk deepening existing tensions and could lead to uneven distribution of infrastructure and resources.
The committee has demanded the immediate transfer of the Deputy Commissioner, alleging bias and partiality, and reiterated that the headquarters project should be shifted to Khebung. It warned that failure to address these issues would result in an indefinite shutdown of the Imphal–Moreh road from April 20.
The DDCC also asserted that Naga communities have historically inhabited Tengnoupal district, describing it as their ancestral homeland, and objected to recent references by certain Kuki groups to the area as “Kukiland”.
