Imphal, August 25: Manipur’s Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh, expressed gratitude on Tuesday to the Naga and Kuki communities. He acknowledged their cooperation in ensuring uninterrupted interstate public transport services along the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati National Highway-2 (NH-2).
While addressing the 45th Hawker Day ceremony in Heing Khongbal, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of the support shown by these tribal communities. Their collaboration is crucial for maintaining peace in the state, restoring normalcy, and ensuring the smooth movement of people and public transport services.
Referring to an unfortunate incident that occurred on Monday in the village of Thaphou in Senapati district, he noted that local legislators and district officials have worked to ensure free movement for both communities. They have agreed to avoid any activities that could hinder the free flow of vehicles. Despite some delays, public transport from Imphal resumed smoothly.
On Monday, a CRPF soldier was injured in firing between two groups in Thaphou village, leading to protests and blockades on National Highway-2. According to police reports, a house in the neighboring Kangpokpi district’s Thaphou Kuki village was set ablaze, followed by another house in the Naga Thaphou village of Senapati district.
On Tuesday, for the fourth consecutive day, public transport services continued along the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route. Approximately 300 passengers, including women and children, departed smoothly from Imphal in a convoy of five buses and nine winged vehicles heading to Dimapur and Guwahati.
This development comes amid Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s peace initiatives and reconciliation efforts through dialogue between communities. It follows a joint announcement on August 8 regarding the free movement on all national highways in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district.
Despite reports of some unpleasant incidents along NH-2, public road transport operations have continued without interruption. A senior state government official stated that the Chief Minister has been actively involved in bringing all communities together for dialogue. Since February 2026, he has visited various hill districts, facilitating travel for nearly 900 passengers from Imphal to Dimapur and Guwahati, including Tuesday’s service. Over 400 passengers have also safely returned to Imphal from Dimapur and Guwahati.
Reflecting on his previous visit to the Jiribam district, the Chief Minister noted that ethnic violence that began in May 2023 had caused communities to drift apart. However, under the government’s peace initiatives, these distances have diminished, allowing communities to coexist peacefully.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the solution for peace and development in the state lies in dialogue between communities. He acknowledged that despite governmental efforts to restore peace, some selfish individuals do not desire tranquility, referencing the tragic incident in Bishnupur district that resulted in the loss of two children.
Singh further stated that all communities residing in the state have historically protected its integrity, and it is essential to maintain and safeguard it for the future. He asserted that protecting the state is not solely the government’s responsibility but a collective effort of all its residents.
A memorandum presented to the Chief Minister by the Hawkers Association assured that the proposal for a corpus fund will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting.
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