Kuki Chiefs Reject 11th IRB HQ Tender in Tengnoupal, Warn of Fierce Resistance

The Kuki Chiefs Association (KCA), Tengnoupal district, has mounted a strong challenge to the proposed establishment of the 11th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) headquarters at Saivom village, vehemently opposing the tender issued for its construction without the alleged knowledge or consent of local people and civil society organisations.

The KCA said it had consistently opposed the establishment of an IRB unit headquarters in Tengnoupal district until “complete peace and normalcy” is restored.

The chiefs’ body said the government’s decision to proceed with the tender despite the objections of local stakeholders was unacceptable and amounted to disregarding the concerns of the people on the ground.

It warned that the civil society organisations of Tengnoupal district would not permit execution of the project, irrespective of whether the work was awarded to a contractor.

“Even if any work tender is issued to any contractor, the CSOs of Tengnoupal district will not allow the execution of the work,” the KCA said, making its opposition to the proposed IRB headquarters unequivocal.

The association further warned the government and the concerned contractor against attempting to execute the project “by any means”, saying they would be held responsible for any consequences arising from such an attempt in the future.

The chiefs’ body maintained that construction of the IRB headquarters should not be pursued until peace and normalcy are fully restored in the region.