Sangaikot Sub-Division Chiefs’ Association Denounces Meitei Govt’s Attempt to Repair Sugnu-Makhao Iron Bridge

Tensions continue to rise in the Kuki-Zo territories as the Sangaikot Sub-Division Chiefs’ Association (SSDCA) has strongly condemned the Meitei government’s recent actions regarding the Sugnu-Makhao Iron Bridge, located between T. Lailoiphai and Sugnu in the Makhao area. The bridge, which was destroyed by Meitei militants in a fire on May 28, 2023, has now become a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict, with the Meitei government attempting to repair it under controversial circumstances.

According to a statement from the SSDCA, widely circulated on social media on November 6, 2024, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh of the Meitei government, along with the local MLA from Kumbi constituency, is accused of secretly dispatching a team to survey and inspect the bridge. The SSDCA claims that this act is part of a broader attempt to circumvent the established norms of the Buffer Zone that separates Kuki-Zo and Meitei territories.

The SSDCA alleges that the repair of the bridge is a guise for more sinister motives. “The exclusive intention behind these actions is not to restore infrastructure, but to create a foothold for Meitei forces and their VBIG (Vigilante and Border Intelligence Groups) to intrude into Kuki-Zo territories under the pretense of repairing the bridge,” the association stated. The bridge, they argue, lies within the buffer zone, a sensitive area currently under the protection of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

This marks the second attempt by the Meitei government, according to SSDCA, to repair the Sugnu-Makhao Iron Bridge, despite the bridge being within a contested buffer zone and the ongoing conflict. The statement further emphasizes that the region has witnessed widespread destruction, with more than 200 Kuki-Zo villages reportedly burnt down by Meitei militants since the conflict erupted. At present, many Kuki-Zo villages in districts such as Chandel, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi remain inaccessible, heightening the atmosphere of mistrust.

The SSDCA has made it clear that it will not accept any repairs to the Sugnu-Makhao Iron Bridge until the Indian government acknowledges and acts upon the Kuki-Zo community’s demand: "Solution first, then Peace." They argue that the bridge is situated within the sensitive buffer zone and should remain under the guard of central forces to ensure no further escalation of violence.

The statement concluded with a stern warning to the Meitei government and its associated groups. “Any attempt by the Meitei government and their VBIGs to repair the bridge or take action in violation of the buffer zone's sanctity will be held responsible for any untoward incidents," the SSDCA declared. “The actions of N. Biren Singh and his VBIGs will have serious consequences, and we will not tolerate any encroachment upon Kuki-Zo territories."

As the situation continues to unfold, the SSDCA’s firm stance on the issue is expected to further inflame tensions in an already volatile region. Both sides are calling on authorities to respect the established boundaries and to prioritize a peaceful resolution to the conflict, though with deepening divisions, it remains unclear how soon any such resolution may come.