Now Reading: Manipur reopens highways, resumes Imphal-Dimapur bus after 26 months
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Manipur reopens highways, resumes Imphal-Dimapur bus after 26 months
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen on Saturday announced the immediate reopening of all national highways for free movement of all communities. They…
The Story in Brief
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen on Saturday announced the immediate reopening of all national highways for free movement of all communities. They also said the Imphal-Dimapur bus service, suspended since the Kuki-Zo, Meitei conflict began on May 3, 2023, will resume. The announcement was made at Kangpokpi district headquarters, a Kuki-Zo-dominated area where civil bodies had previously barred Meiteis from using NH-2.
The Assam Tribune reports that the CM cited hardships like travellers forced to spend over Rs 10,000 due to prolonged disruptions. Kipgen said the highway belongs to the nation. The Hindustan Times notes the Kuki-Zo, Meitei conflict has killed over 260 people and displaced over 60,000. During the visit, the CM inaugurated a dialysis unit and a blood storage facility and distributed welfare benefits. Some Naga civil society groups protested the visit, demanding justice for six villagers allegedly killed during the conflict.
The Indian Opinion
State-driven narratives paint the highway reopening as a breakthrough, but protestors in Kangpokpi, mostly Naga groups demanding justice for six missing villagers, still greeted the CM with black flags. The Kuki-Zo legislators backing the move are the same ones demanding a separate Union territory. The real test is not a single announcement, but whether NH-2 stays open for all communities a month from now without fresh blockades.
Sources (3): hindustantimes.com, assamtribune.com, ndtv.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
