IMPHAL |  Inter-State public transport between Imphal, Dimapur and Guwahati resumed on Friday after a gap of nearly three years, marking a significant step towards restoring connectivity and normalcy in Manipur following the ethnic conflict that erupted in 2023.

A total of 125 passengers travelled on the inaugural services, comprising two buses and five Winger vehicles, which left Imphal for Guwahati via Nagaland. The vehicles crossed the sensitive Kangpokpi and Senapati districts without incident and proceeded towards Nagaland before entering Assam on their way to Guwahati.

Passengers welcomed the restoration of the long-suspended service, saying the resumption of regular public transport would make inter-State travel easier and could contribute to rebuilding trust and peace among communities. Kiyam Kumarjit Singh, a passenger from Thoubal district, thanked the state government for restarting the service and described the journey as a new beginning.

“Let us all forgive and forget the past. I hope this initiative will bring love, peace and harmony among all communities,” he said. Nivedita, a resident of Khundrakpam village in Imphal East district, also expressed hope that the restored connectivity would support the government’s efforts to bring back normalcy.

“I hope this journey contributes to peace in the State. I wish the government success in its efforts to restore normalcy,” she said.

The reopening of the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route is being seen as an important development in reconnecting Manipur with neighbouring Nagaland and Assam. The service had remained suspended amid security concerns and disruptions following the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023.

The resumption comes less than two weeks after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced during his visit to Kangpokpi district on August 8 that national highways in Manipur would be reopened for the free movement of people from all communities.

Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen were present during the Chief Minister’s visit, when he also announced that the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati bus service would be restored shortly. The restart of the inter-State transport link is expected to ease passenger movement, improve access to Assam and Nagaland and strengthen road connectivity at a time when the Manipur government is seeking to restore normalcy across the conflict-affected state.

The service also carries significance beyond transportation, with passengers and officials viewing the reopening of a key route as a symbol of renewed efforts to reconnect communities and revive everyday movement between Manipur and its neighbouring states.