Manipur to Reopens Lifeline Highways to All Communities After Three Years Imphal–Dimapur bus service to resume; CM Khemchand announces free movement of commuters and goods

The government also announced that the Imphal–Dimapur bus service would resume, signalling a potentially important step towards restoring regular inter-district and inter-state connectivity along one of Manipur’s most crucial transport corridors.

For more than three years, disruptions, blockades and insecurity along the State’s lifeline highways have severely affected the movement of people and essential commodities, contributing to shortages, higher transportation costs and a deep sense of isolation in the landlocked state. The reopening announcement is therefore being viewed as an important step towards restoring the free movement of people and goods and easing the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.

The announcement came during the Chief Minister’s first major visit to Kangpokpi, where he met community leaders, inaugurated development projects and distributed benefits under various government schemes as part of the government’s ongoing efforts towards peace-building, reconciliation and restoration of normalcy.

On his way to Kangpokpi District Headquarters, the Chief Minister was warmly received by villagers at Gamgiphai. At the district headquarters, he was received by Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Chief Medical Officer and other senior district officials.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Khemchand recalled Manipur’s long history and referred to the Seven Years’ Devastation of the 19th century as one of the darkest periods in the State’s past. He said the boundaries of Manipur had been shaped and protected through the contributions and sacrifices of people from different communities.

Kangpokpi (Manipur): In a significant development towards restoring normalcy in conflict-hit Manipur, the State Government on Saturday announced the reopening of the National Highways for the free movement of commuters and goods belonging to all communities, bringing a sense of relief to a state that has endured prolonged disruption of its vital road links since the Kuki-Meitei conflict erupted on May 3, 2023. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen jointly made the announcement at Kangpokpi District Headquarters during the Chief Minister’s visit to the district.

The Chief Minister urged communities to rebuild trust and support one another, stressing that every crisis has a solution. He also said that people should take pride in their identity as Indians as well as Manipuris. Quoting a verse from the Bible while inaugurating a dialysis unit, the Chief Minister called for forgiveness and reconciliation and said the government was taking the ongoing conflicts in the State seriously.

He cited the examples of Americans taking pride in their nationality across racial differences and Singaporeans identifying strongly with their common national identity. Emphasising the importance of balanced development, Khemchand said the development of the Northeast would remain incomplete without Manipur, and the development of Manipur would remain incomplete without the development of Kangpokpi.

He announced that Kangpokpi District Hospital would be upgraded to a 100-bed hospital with CT Scan facilities. Primary Health Centres would be constructed at Motbung and T. Waichong, while the Community Health Centre at Saikul would be upgraded.

The Chief Minister also announced the construction of a major retaining wall along rivers in Kangpokpi district for flood control.

New sports infrastructure would be developed in consultation with the deputy Chief minister and MLAs of Kangpokpi district, he said, adding that construction of a City Convention Hall-cum-Guest House would begin this year. A dedicated computerised examination centre would also be established in the district. Referring to the prolonged conflict, the Chief Minister said the younger generation had been severely affected and stressed the need to rebuild a peaceful environment for them.

Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen described the occasion as historic and said the State could achieve comprehensive development only when both the hills and valley progressed together.

She called for mutual love and trust among communities and sought the support of civil society organisations, public leaders, intellectuals and other stakeholders in building lasting peace.

Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen said he was happy to meet his fellow MLAs after four years and appealed to all communities and those involved in the conflict to leave the past behind and return to normal life.

Referring to National Highway-2, he said the highway had served as a lifeline for all communities in Manipur since the Second World War.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a Dialysis Unit at Kangpokpi District Hospital and a District Blood Storage Facility, besides handing over ambulances to the Chief Medical Officer.

Benefits and incentives under several Central and State government schemes were distributed during the programme, including PM-JAY, TB Mukt Bharat, Mission Vatsalya, PM-Kisan, PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM. Sprayers under the Agriculture Department, cheques for internally displaced persons and dialysis patients, and other assistance were also distributed.

Two young sportspersons—one footballer and one badminton player—were felicitated for their outstanding performances in international competitions.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by several MLAs, senior officials including the Commissioner (Home) and Commissioner (Health), Heads of Departments and Waqf Board Chairman Antas Khan.

The highway reopening and the proposed restoration of the Imphal–Dimapur bus service now mark a significant test of Manipur’s return to normalcy. For a population that has spent more than three years living with disrupted mobility and uncertainty over the State’s vital transport arteries, the opening of the highways carries significance far beyond transportation—it represents the possibility of reconnecting communities, markets and lives once again.

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