Tribal unions decry exclusion from Foothills Road talks

Several tribal organisations, including the Chang Union Dimapur, Khiamniungan Union Dimapur, Sangtam Union Dimapur, Western Yimkhiung Hoho, Tikhir Union Dimapur, and Rengma Peoples’ Organisation Dimapur, have jointly expressed deep resentment over their exclusion from consultations related to the Trans Nagaland Highways (Foothills Road) project.
In a press release, the organisations recalled that the Foothills Road, stretching approximately 395 km from Khelma in Peren district to Tizit in Mon district, was fully conceptualised in 2013 by the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC). The unions stated that the cardinal objective of the project was to safeguard the Naga people from economic marginalisation and regional isolation, while also addressing rising youth unemployment due to lack of innovation and farsighted planning.
They, however, lamented that the lands of the Chang, Khiamniungan, Sangtam, Yimkhiung and Tikhir tribes were not touched by even “an inch” of the project, yet these communities consistently supported the people’s project “financially, physically and mentally” for the past 13 years. They also questioned the exclusion of the Rengma tribe, being part of the “landowners” from recent consultations, calling it beyond comprehension.
The organisations expressed anguish at being sidelined after years of sacrifice. “Had it been interpreted as ‘landowners’ road’ or an exclusive road for only section of people’s road, why were we invited at the first instance?” they questioned. They said it was painful to now be treated like uninvited guests or intruders after giving their full support and resources for the project over more than a decade.
Referring to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly debate on the Foothills Road earlier this year, the unions questioned the current silence of elected representatives and tribal apex bodies.
“What happened to our popularly elected representatives are they not capable or qualified to discuss on Foothills Project and where are our apex tribal hohos who are shouldering this historic project for almost 13 years or is there any hidden agenda(s),” the unions questioned.
The unions stated that they were not a stumbling block to development but were present to reason, innovate and work collectively for the progress and development of Nagaland.
The organisations pointed out that while all apex tribal hohos and MLAs were invited to a Foothills Road meeting on April 30, they have now been left out of the upcoming meeting scheduled on August 7, 2025, calling it “very painful and hard to digest.”