Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday chaired a Combined Headquarters (Unified Command) security meeting to assess and strengthen the state’s security and law-and-order situation. The meeting, held at the Civil Secretariat, reviewed the prevailing law-and-order situation and security aspects across the state, with a focus on the National Highways and measures to ensure safe movement of passengers and goods vehicles.
The Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) and the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) are crucial lifelines of Manipur, connecting the state with the rest of the country. However, movement along NH-2 has been severely affected due to law-and-order issues, intermittent blockades, and security concerns since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, causing hardships to commuters and affecting the transportation of essential commodities.
The high-level meeting was attended by top officials, including the Chief Secretary, Chief Security Advisor, Director General of Police, and representatives of Central Armed Police Forces and intelligence agencies. The meeting focused on maintaining peace, improving coordination among security agencies, strengthening intelligence gathering, and ensuring the continued movement of people and goods along key transport corridors.
Following the Unified Command meeting, the Chief Minister chaired a separate meeting with top security officials and representatives of transporters to discuss the early resumption of the Imphal-Guwahati and Imphal-Dimapur bus services. The meeting reviewed security arrangements and confidence-building measures required to facilitate the safe operation of passenger bus services on the two important routes.
The proposed resumption of bus services is seen as an important step towards restoring normalcy and improving connectivity between Manipur and neighbouring states after prolonged disruptions caused by ethnic unrest. The state government remains committed to restoring normal life, enhancing public confidence, and ensuring a secure environment for the movement of people and goods across the state.
The resumption of bus services was jointly announced by Chief Minister Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, and Independent MLA Haokholet Kipgen during a programme held at Kangpokpi district headquarters on August 8. The move is expected to improve connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods between Manipur and neighbouring states.
