The Manipur government has announced the resumption of inter-district public transport services, effective Wednesday, under stringent security measures.
This marks the government's second attempt in 19 months to reconnect Imphal with the hill districts, amidst a fragile lull in the ethnic violence that has gripped the state since May 2023.
An official order issued by Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi outlined the administration’s decision, citing a review of the law-and-order situation, the availability of security forces, and feasibility assessments by various agencies.
"The state government has reviewed the law and order situation in the state with the availability of security forces, response system and feasibility inputs from different agencies and has decided to resume traffic of public vehicles with adequate security deployment," the order stated.
The services will operate on two routes: from Imphal to Senapati via Kangpokpi, and from Imphal to Churachandpur via Bishnupur.
These routes traverse diverse ethnic regions, with Senapati being Naga-dominated, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community, and Imphal and Bishnupur mainly home to the Meiteis.
The movement of vehicles will be strictly time-bound, with passengers required to coordinate with their respective Deputy Commissioners.
“This initiative taken up by the state government is aimed at alleviating grievances faced by the general public in the state,” the order mentioned.
The administration has appealed for public cooperation and warned against any disruptions.
“Anybody without exemption, if involved in acts which disturb movement of vehicles, will be sternly dealt with and prosecuted as per relevant laws of the land,” the order cautioned.
Manipur has been caught in a cycle of violence since clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted in May 2023.
At least 258 lives have been lost, and thousands have been displaced, as hostilities have repeatedly flared between groups from the Imphal valley and the surrounding hill districts.
The state government had earlier attempted to restore bus services in December 2023 but met with limited success.
Buses travelling between Imphal and Churachandpur ran almost empty, while those bound for Kangpokpi were turned back due to barricades erected by protesters.
The government’s renewed efforts to bridge the divide come amid hopes of reducing the hardships faced by citizens across ethnic lines.
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