Illegal Manipur ‘Ring Road’ Named After Militants, NGT Orders Work Stopped

A controversial road cutting through forest and hill areas across multiple districts in Manipur has come under scrutiny after the National Green Tribunal ordered an immediate halt to all construction activity.

The road, locally referred to as a "ring road", is alleged to have been built without official approvals and named after insurgents, raising environmental, legal and security concerns in the conflict-hit state.

NGT orders immediate halt, flags lack of clearances

The eastern zone bench of the National Green Tribunal in Kolkata on December 23 directed the Manipur government to ensure that no further construction work is carried out on the road. The tribunal instructed the state chief secretary to issue directions to district magistrates and police chiefs in six affected districts to strictly enforce the order.

The tribunal clarified that the road under question is different from the officially approved ring road project in Imphal that is being developed with assistance from the Asian Development Bank.

The case was initiated following an application filed by COCOMI, which sought an immediate stop to the construction and action against those responsible.

Civil society flags environmental and geological risks

In its submission, COCOMI argued that construction in forest areas could not be permitted without proper environmental and geological safety assessments. The organisation demanded the formation of a high-level expert committee to inspect the site, submit a detailed report and recommend punishment for violations.

The NGT recorded that the applicant had informed the tribunal that the road passing through forest and hilly areas in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Noney and Ukhrul districts was allegedly being constructed by members of the Kuki community.

"The applicant collected information from the authorities concerned including Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, the Rural Engineering Department, and the Forest Department who have intimated that no official approval, no-objection certificate, or forest clearance has been issued for such construction. The applicant has further submitted that satellite imagery corroborates the unauthorised activity in ecologically sensitive zones," the NGT noted in its order.

'German Road' and 'Tiger Road' naming sparks outrage

Following the tribunal's directive, civil society representatives said the road is locally known as 'German Road' and, in some stretches, as 'Tiger Road'. Both names are linked to nicknames of Kuki insurgents.

"Only in Manipur can a road named after militants be built through forests without clearance, permission and environment assessment. Examples like this are why the people of Manipur are angry. Those who don't care about the law, those who openly work with insurgents and break all constitutional provisions don't get punished," a resident of a village along the route said, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.

COCOMI said the road gained wider public attention during the Manipur crisis after visuals circulated on social media, including a flag-off or inauguration event that reportedly involved the Saikul MLA, along with photographs of a gate bearing the name 'Tiger Road'.

Allegations of misuse and NGT case timeline

COCOMI further alleged that the road may have been used as a clandestine corridor during the period of administrative breakdown in the state.

"It is further a matter of grave public concern, raised consistently in representations, field observations, and civil society reports placed before competent authorities, that the said road has been widely alleged to have been used as a clandestine corridor during the period of administrative breakdown amid the crisis. These allegations relate to its suspected use for illicit trafficking of illegal drugs, unauthorised movement of small arms and ammunition, and the movement of undocumented or unauthorised immigrants," the organisation stated.

The NGT said it had first directed the Manipur chief secretary on August 20 to submit a preliminary report within four weeks. The deadline was extended multiple times on September 4 and October 27, before the latest extension of four weeks was granted on December 23 after the chief secretary said responses from forest divisions in four districts needed re-verification.

The matter is scheduled to be heard next on February 2, 2026.

Government says no approval, legal action possible

The controversy had earlier triggered protests by the Foothill Naga Coordination Committee, following which the Manipur government held a meeting with civil society representatives in Imphal on August 8.

A statement issued after the meeting clarified that the state government had not approved or sanctioned any such roads.

"Necessary legal action will be taken after verifying the status of such illegal constructions/naming, if any on ground, will not be permitted," the statement said, signed by leaders of four FNCC-affiliated tribal organisations and Manipur home secretary N Ashok Kumar.

The statement also noted that the stretches of the so-called German or Tiger Road are located close to designated camps of Kuki insurgent groups operating under the suspension of operations agreement, which was extended for another year on September 8.

"There could be several camps connected by the so-called 'ring road'," a member of the umbrella civil society body said, requesting anonymity. "One called Sinai camp near Yaingangpokpi police station, another at Thangjing Hill range, one at Kharam Vaiphei initiated recently against the opposition of Liangmai and Meetei villagers in Kangchup and Konsakhul areas."