Imphal, Aug 8: The Manipur government on Saturday announced the immediate reopening of National Highways for free movement of people from all communities.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen made the announcement during the Chief Minister’s visit to Kangpokpi district.
The Chief Minister said the decision to reopen the highways was driven by the hardships faced by ordinary people because of prolonged disruptions to road connectivity.
People travelling from Manipur towards Guwahati were sometimes forced to spend more than Rs 10,000 because of the disruption to regular highway movement, he said.
“I am not willing to make promises that I cannot fulfil. We will concentrate on practical measures that can bring tangible relief to the people,” Khemchand said.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen backed the move, saying the National Highway belonged to the nation and should remain accessible to everyone.
“National Highway is nobody’s property; it is the nation’s property. I gave my agreement to Pu Khemchand,” she said.
Kipgen said restoration of connectivity would be taken forward progressively, including routes between Imphal and Churachandpur and Imphal and other parts of the state.
The announcement comes after prolonged blockades and counter-blockades by different communities severely disrupted movement along Manipur’s major highways.
The restrictions have affected the movement of essential supplies, trade, healthcare, education and livelihoods, causing hardship across communities.
The government also announced the resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur bus service, which had remained disrupted amid the conflict and blockades.
Khemchand said the service would be open to people from all communities, with security arrangements to be put in place to ensure the safety of passengers.
National Highway-2, which connects Manipur with Nagaland and the rest of the country, has remained a crucial lifeline for the state.
Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen described the highway as a lifeline for all communities in Manipur since the Second World War and stressed the need to keep it open.
The highway announcement came during Khemchand’s visit to Kangpokpi, where sections of Naga civil society had opposed his visit and demanded justice for six Naga villagers who were allegedly abducted and subsequently killed during the conflict.