Imphal, August 21: Inter-state passenger bus services between Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland have resumed after more than three years. The services were halted on May 3, 2023, due to ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki tribal communities in Manipur.
A senior official from the transport department stated that the state government has been working tirelessly to restore peace and normalcy. On Friday, public transport services were reintroduced on the Imphal-Dimapur (Nagaland)-Guwahati (Assam) route. This marks a significant development more than three years after the unprecedented ethnic crisis began in the region.
According to the official, two buses and five winged vehicles carried a total of 125 passengers on the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route. The resumption of this service is seen as a crucial step towards restoring normal life and enhancing inter-state connectivity, especially after prolonged disruptions due to ethnic conflicts.
The official noted that the public has welcomed the resumption of bus services, appreciating the restoration of this vital inter-state link. “People have expressed their gratitude and are welcoming the restoration of this important connection,” he told the media.
Kiyam Kumarjit Singh, a passenger from the hill district of Thoubal, thanked the state government for this positive initiative. He expressed hope that this new journey would foster love, peace, and harmony among all communities in the state, helping people move past the painful events of the past. “Let us all forgive and forget the past. Let us move forward for peace and development in Manipur,” he said.
Nivedita, a female passenger from Khundrakpam village in Imphal East district, also expressed hope that the resumption of services would aid in restoring peace and normalcy in the state. “May this journey bring peace to the state, and may God bless the government,” she said.
Officials reported that the buses passed through Kangpokpi (mainly inhabited by the Kuki population) and Senapati (a district with a Naga population) without any issues. The buses will then enter Nagaland and head towards Guwahati, the main city in Assam.
The resumption of bus services is expected to facilitate easier movement of passengers between Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam.
Leave a Comment