Key Takeaways
- The Manipur highways have been closed since May 2023, affecting movement of people and essential items.
- The closure of the highways is due to a conflict between different groups in the region.
- The conflict has resulted in the injury of 40 security personnel and Manipur Police personnel.
Imphal: Landlocked Manipur still struggles to open its two main national highways since the outbreak of a major crisis on May 3, 2023 in Churachandpur district.
Both highways NH 2, Imphal to Mao and NH 37, Imphal to Jiribam have to pass through some pockets largely dominated by a particular group involved in the conflict.
The civil societies, militant outfits, and the populace of the community have refused to allow movement of people who belong to a particular community, mostly settled in Manipur valley. This has severely restricted the movement of people who want to travel on the highways.
Manipur Police said on Tuesday that movement of 250 vehicles on NH2 and 227 vehicles carrying essential items along NH-37 were ensured.
Efforts to open the national highways failed and so far about 31 people who ventured into the highway areas from a particular community are still reported missing.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced earlier that the national highways will be open on Mar 8 last.
However, a bus carrying two passengers could not pass through the highway and about 40 security personnel and Manipur Police personnel were injured when the militants, supporters of various organizations attacked security personnel.
Two Kuki militant outfits which are under Suspension of Operation (SOO) with the government of India have refused to allow movement of people. Due to restrictions on movement people belonging to a particular community are not able to move out of the state since May 2023 except by air.
