Manipur Highways Reopen for All Communities; Imphal-Dimapur Bus Service to Resume

CM Khemchand, Deputy CM Nemcha and MLA Haokholet jointly announce free movement as government pushes peace, reconciliation and development in Kangpokpi

IMPHAL, August 8: In a significant development aimed at restoring peace, normalcy and connectivity in Manipur, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen on Saturday jointly announced the immediate reopening of National Highways for free movement of all communities across the state.

The leaders also announced that the Imphal-Dimapur bus service would resume, marking a major step towards restoring public transport and inter-community connectivity after prolonged disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict.

The announcement was made at the Kangpokpi District Headquarters during the Chief Minister’s visit to the hill district as part of the government’s peace-building and reconciliation efforts.

During the visit, Khemchand Singh held meetings with community leaders, inaugurated several development projects and distributed welfare benefits under various government schemes.

The Chief Minister received a warm welcome from villagers at Gamgiphai on his way to the Kangpokpi District Headquarters. On his arrival, he was received by Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, MLA Haokholet Kipgen, senior district officials and heads of various departments.

Addressing the gathering, Khemchand Singh said Manipur’s history and territorial integrity had been shaped and protected through the contributions and sacrifices of all communities.

He said vested interests were attempting to create confusion among the people but maintained that every crisis had a solution.

Calling for unity and reconciliation, the Chief Minister urged people of all communities to trust and support one another. He said people should rise above divisions and strengthen their shared identity as Indians and Manipuris.

“Development of India will remain incomplete without the development of the North East, and the development of Manipur will be incomplete without the development of Kangpokpi,” he said.

While inaugurating a Dialysis Unit at Kangpokpi, the Chief Minister appealed to the people to forgive and forget, stressing that the government was taking the conflicts in the state seriously and was working towards a lasting solution.

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

The Chief Minister further announced plans for the construction of a major retaining wall along rivers in Kangpokpi district as a flood-control measure.

To strengthen sports infrastructure, he said new facilities would be developed in consultation with the Deputy Chief Minister and MLAs of the district. Construction of a City Convention Hall-cum-Guest House is expected to begin this year, while a dedicated computerized examination centre will also be established in the district.

Khemchand Singh expressed concern over the impact of the conflict on the younger generation, stating that youths had been severely affected by the prolonged unrest.

Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen described the occasion as historic and said the BJP-led government had been consistently working for the overall development of Manipur.

She said genuine development could be achieved only when both the hill and valley regions progressed together.

“Peace can be ensured only through mutual love, trust and understanding among communities,” she said, while seeking the cooperation of civil society organisations, public leaders and intellectuals in restoring lasting peace.

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

He also described National Highway-2 as the lifeline of the people of Manipur, noting its importance to all communities since the period of World War II.

During the programme, the Chief Minister inaugurated a Dialysis Unit at the Community Health Centre and a District Blood Storage Facility at Kangpokpi District Hospital. Ambulances were also handed over to the Chief Medical Officer, Kangpokpi.

Benefits and incentives under several government schemes, including PM-JAY, TB Mukt Bharat, Mission Vatsalya, PM-Kisan, PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM, were distributed to beneficiaries. Assistance was also extended to internally displaced persons and dialysis patients.

The Chief Minister additionally distributed agricultural sprayers, solar pumps and other benefits under government welfare schemes.

Two young sportspersons — a football player and a badminton player — were felicitated for their achievements in international competitions.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by several MLAs, senior government officials, Commissioners, Heads of Departments and Waqf Board Chairman Antas Khan.

The joint announcement on reopening National Highways and resuming the Imphal-Dimapur bus service is expected to be a major test of the government’s efforts to rebuild confidence, restore free movement and bring normalcy to the conflict-hit state.