Kuki MLA cries bias as all 57 road projects go to Meitei areas

The 18-month-old ethnic strife in Manipur has now fuelled allegations of biased development, with tribal Kukis, who primarily live in the hills, claiming that 57 road projects worth around Rs 400 crore were recently allocated to the Meitei-dominated plains.

“All 57 road projects only for Manipur’s valley districts. This is why a union territory with a legislature is a must for the hills,” wrote Kuki BJP MLA, Paolienlal Haokip on X, sharing a work order list from the central Ministry of Road Transport.

Kuki groups have been demanding a separate UT with autonomous rights for tribal-majority areas to “ensure lasting peace in the state”. Haokip had put out another post two days later, asking the “ministry to review the road projects or bring up another list for the hills”. Manipur has 10 Kuki MLAs, who recently refused to attend a “peace initiative” meeting with their Meitei counterparts in Delhi, which was convened by the Home Ministry. Haokip could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.

The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust, an outfit fighting for the cause of Manipur tribals, too has condemned the alleged bias in road projects.