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 and announced that the Imphal-Dimapur bus service will be resumed.
The announcement was made at the Kangpokpi district headquarters in Manipur, a district predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community. Since the Kuki-Zo–Meitei conflict erupted on May 3, 2023, various Kuki-Zo civil bodies, including Kuki-Inpi Manipur (KIM) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), have prohibited Meiteis from using NH-2, the Imphal-Dimapur highway that passes through Kangpokpi.
Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen and Haokholet Kipgen are among the 10 Kuki-Zo legislators, including late Vungzagin Valte (victim of the Manipur crisis), who are demanding ‘separate administration’ in the form of a Union territory.
The Manipur crisis between Kuki-Zo and Meitei claimed over 260 lives and more than 60,000 were displaced.
As part of the government’s ongoing peace-building and reconciliation efforts, the CM visited Kangpokpi district headquarters and held meetings with various community leaders. He also inaugurated several development projects and distributed welfare benefits to beneficiaries under different government schemes.
The Chief Minister further said that the boundaries of Manipur were formed by all communities and have been protected by everyone. He added that people from all communities have made sacrifices to safeguard the state’s territory. He said it was unfortunate that some vested interest groups were trying to create confusion among people, but stressed that there is a solution to every crisis.
{{/usCountry}}The Chief Minister further said that the boundaries of Manipur were formed by all communities and have been protected by everyone. He added that people from all communities have made sacrifices to safeguard the state’s territory. He said it was unfortunate that some vested interest groups were trying to create confusion among people, but stressed that there is a solution to every crisis.
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Khemchand Singh urged all communities to trust and support each other. He said people should first consider themselves Indians and then Manipuris. He expressed concern that people are now hesitant to identify themselves as Manipuris.
He emphasised that the development of India will remain incomplete without the development of the North East, and that the development of Manipur will be incomplete without the development of Kangpokpi district.
Following Union home minister Amit Shah’s directives for free movement on all highways in Manipur with effect from March 8, 2025, Manipur government had attempted twice for free movement along NH-2 however, protestors in Kangpokpi district disrupted the attempt.
Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen said that the day marked a historic occasion for everyone. She said the present Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has been consistently working to bring development to the state. She added that Manipur can achieve complete development only when both the valley and the hill areas progress equally.
She further said that peace in the state can be ensured through mutual love and trust among communities. She also sought the support of Civil Society Organisations, public leaders, intellectuals and others to bring lasting peace to the state.
Besides, MLA Haokholet Kipgen said he was happy to meet his MLA colleagues after four years. He appealed to all communities and to those who were involved in the conflict to forget the past and return to normalcy.
He also said that National Highway-2 has been the lifeline of all communities in the state.
During the visit, the CM inaugurated a Dialysis Unit at the Community Health Centre and a District Blood Storage facility at Kangpokpi District Hospital. He also handed over ambulances to the chief medical officer, Kangpokpi.
Khemchand Singh also distributed benefits and incentives under various government schemes including PM-JAY, TB Mukt Bharat, Mission Vatsalya, sprayers under the Agriculture Department, PM-Kisan cards, PM Surya Ghar, cheques to IDPs and dialysis patients and solar pumps under PM-KUSUM.