Imphal | The Manipur government on Saturday announced the immediate reopening of the state’s National Highways for free movement of people from all communities and the resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur bus service, signalling an attempt to restore connectivity disrupted by prolonged conflict and blockades.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh made the announcement during his visit to Kangpokpi district, along with Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen.

The Chief Minister said the decision was prompted by the difficulties faced by ordinary people due to prolonged disruption of highway connectivity. Residents travelling from Manipur towards Guwahati had at times been forced to spend more than Rs 10,000 because of the restrictions on 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 decision and said National Highways must remain accessible to everyone.

“National Highway is nobody’s property; it is the nation’s property,” she said, adding that connectivity would be restored progressively, including routes linking Imphal with Churachandpur and other parts of the state.

Imphal-Dimapur bus service to resume

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 available to people from all communities, with security arrangements put in place to ensure the safety of passengers.

National Highway-2, which connects Manipur with Nagaland and the wider national road network, has remained one of the state’s most important lifelines. Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen said the highway had served as a lifeline for communities in Manipur since the Second World War and stressed the need to keep it open.

Prolonged blockades and counter-blockades by different communities have severely affected movement along the state’s major highways, disrupting supplies, trade, healthcare, education and livelihoods.

Highway reopening announced amid protests

The 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.

Naga civil society organisations staged a protest around Namdilong earlier in the day. Protesters also waved black flags in parts of the district as the Chief Minister’s convoy passed through. Despite the protests, Khemchand continued with his scheduled visit and reached the Kangpokpi district headquarters without any untoward incident.

Addressing a gathering, the Chief Minister appealed to people from different communities to trust and support one another, saying every crisis had a solution.

He also urged people to develop a shared sense of identity, saying they should identify themselves first as Indians and then as Manipuris. Khemchand said development in Manipur could not be complete without development in its hill districts, including Kangpokpi, and stressed that lasting peace would require collective efforts from all communities.

Kangpokpi gets development push

During his visit, the Chief Minister announced a series of development initiatives for Kangpokpi.

Kangpokpi District Hospital will be upgraded to a 100-bed facility with a CT scan unit, while Primary Health Centres will be constructed at Motbung and T. Waichong. The Community Health Centre at Saikul will also be upgraded. The government plans to construct a major retaining wall along rivers in the district as part of flood-control measures. New sports infrastructure and a City Convention Hall-cum-Guest House have also been proposed.

A dedicated computerised examination centre will be established in Kangpokpi, the Chief Minister said. Khemchand inaugurated a dialysis unit and District Blood Storage Facility at Kangpokpi District Hospital and handed over ambulances to the Chief Medical Officer.

Benefits under several government schemes, including PM-JAY, TB Mukt Bharat, Mission Vatsalya, PM-Kisan, PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM, were also distributed. Agricultural sprayers, financial assistance to internally displaced persons and support for dialysis patients were among the other benefits provided during the programme.

Two young sportspersons – a footballer and a badminton player – were also felicitated for their performances in international competitions. The Chief Minister was accompanied by several MLAs, senior state officials and other government representatives during his visit.

The highway reopening and restoration of the Imphal-Dimapur bus service are expected to provide relief to residents and businesses that have faced prolonged disruption to transportation. The effectiveness of the move, however, will depend on sustained security arrangements and cooperation among communities along the affected routes.