NH-2 Reopens in Manipur Following PM Modi’s Visit Amid Ongoing Tensions

Quick Summary

• The National Highway-2, a crucial route cutting through Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas in Manipur, has reopened.
• The highway had been inaccessible due to ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023.
• It serves as a vital artery for the movement of people and essential goods across regions divided by conflict.
• Vijaita singh, Deputy Editor at the Hindu, reports on the impact of this growth in her ground reportage.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The reopening of National Highway-2 signifies a step toward restoring normalcy in Manipur amidst enduring ethnic tensions between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities since may 2023. As lifelines for transportation of essentials, highways like NH-2 play critical roles in maintaining connectivity during crises but their utilization can also expose deeper fault lines if not adequately secured. This move will likely provide much-needed relief to citizens reliant on supply routes while also highlighting challenges for governance-balancing humanitarian needs with persistent communal volatility remains key for stability in the region.

Read more: Watch: What the National Highway-2 reopening means for Manipur