Manipur Reopens National Highways for Free Movement of All Communities
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen jointly announced the immediate reopening of national highways for free movement, along with the resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur bus service.
IMPHAL- In a significant move aimed at restoring normalcy 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 in the state. The government also announced that the Imphal-Dimapur bus service will resume.
The announcement was made during Chief Minister Khemchand Singh’s visit to Kangpokpi District Headquarters, where he held meetings with community leaders, inaugurated development projects and distributed benefits under various government welfare schemes. The government described the visit as part of its ongoing peace-building and reconciliation efforts.
The reopening of the highways is particularly significant for the movement of people and goods between different parts of the state. National Highway-2, described by Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen as a lifeline for all communities since World War II, has been central to connectivity between the valley and hill areas.
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The Chief Minister used the occasion to make a broader appeal for reconciliation among communities. He said the boundaries of Manipur had been formed and protected through the contributions and sacrifices of people from different communities and urged residents to trust and support one another.
Khemchand Singh said there is a solution to every crisis and expressed concern over attempts by vested interests to create confusion among people. He also urged citizens to identify themselves first as Indians and then as Manipuris, while expressing concern that people had become hesitant to identify themselves as Manipuris.
Speaking about development, the Chief Minister said that India’s development would remain incomplete without the progress of the Northeast, while Manipur’s development would similarly remain incomplete without the development of Kangpokpi district.
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During the visit, he inaugurated a Dialysis Unit at Kangpokpi District Hospital and a District Blood Storage facility, besides handing over ambulances to the Chief Medical Officer. He also announced that the district hospital would be upgraded to a 100-bed hospital with CT Scan facilities.
The government further announced plans to construct Primary Health Centres at Motbung and T. Waichong, upgrade the Community Health Centre at Saikul and build a major retaining wall along rivers in Kangpokpi district for flood control.
Additional development initiatives announced during the visit included new sports facilities, a City Convention Hall-cum-Guest House, and a dedicated computerised examination centre for the district.
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Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen described the occasion as historic and said Manipur could achieve comprehensive development only when its valley and hill areas progressed together. She emphasised mutual love and trust among communities and sought the support of civil society organisations, public leaders and intellectuals in establishing lasting peace.
Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen also appealed to communities and those involved in the conflict to leave the past behind and return to normalcy. He welcomed the opportunity to meet fellow legislators after four years and highlighted the importance of National Highway-2 to communities across the state.
The Chief Minister also distributed benefits under several central and state schemes, including PM-JAY, TB Mukt Bharat, Mission Vatsalya, PM-Kisan, PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM. Assistance was also provided to internally displaced persons and dialysis patients. Two young sportspersons were felicitated for their performances in international competitions.
The reopening of the national highways and restoration of the Imphal-Dimapur bus service marks the most immediate practical outcome of the Kangpokpi visit, while the government’s emphasis on dialogue, inter-community trust and development reflects a broader attempt to move Manipur towards normalcy after prolonged conflict.
