Manipur: Nine tribes demand Tengnoupal district HQ at Khebung, warn of highway bandh

District Development Co-Ordination Committee (DDCC) representing nine tribes from Tengnoupal and Chandel demanded construction of infrastructure for District HQ Tengnoupal at Khebung.

The District Development Co-Ordination Committee (DDCC), which represents the Aimol, Moyon, Monsang, Maring, Tarao, Chothe, Tangkhul, Khoibu and Lamkang communities, warned that it would enforce a total bandh along the Imphal–Moreh road from April 20 if its demands are not addressed.

Addressing the media, Monsang tribe representative John Khartu said the committee had observed a pattern of exclusion and administrative lapses in the development process under the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Tengnoupal district. He alleged that the current approach to developing infrastructure at Tengnoupal village was impractical due to topographical constraints, limited water availability, low population density and the presence of camps of Kuki armed groups under suspension of operations.

The DDCC has urged the State government to shift the proposed DHQ infrastructure to Khebung, highlighting what it described as favourable geographic and developmental conditions in the area.

Khartu further alleged that the DC had not acted on directions from the Additional Secretary (Home) to examine the feasibility of Khebung and submit a report, thereby delaying decision-making. He also claimed that during a stakeholder meeting held on July 29, 2025, the nine tribes were not invited, and consultations were held only with members of the Kuki community.

According to the committee, such actions indicate a lack of inclusive governance and risk exacerbating existing tensions in the district. It further alleged that the current administrative approach could lead to inequitable allocation of resources and infrastructure that does not adequately serve the wider population.

The DDCC has demanded the immediate transfer of the Deputy Commissioner, alleging bias and partiality, and reiterated that the construction of the district headquarters infrastructure should be undertaken at Khebung.

The committee stated that failure to address these demands would result in a total shutdown of the Imphal–Moreh road from April 20, which would continue until a resolution is reached.

It also reiterated that Naga communities have historically inhabited the Tengnoupal district and described the area as their ancestral homeland. The committee expressed objection to recent claims by certain Kuki groups referring to the district as “Kukiland”.