Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Manipur government reopens national highways for free movement of all
Manipur is a state in India where different communities of people live.
Since May 2023, there has been serious fighting between some of these communities, and many people could not travel freely on the big roads called national highways.
On Saturday, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Y Khemchand Singh, visited a town called Kangpokpi.
Together with other leaders, he announced that the two main highways are now open for everyone from all communities.
He also said that buses between cities like Imphal, Dimapur, and Guwahati would soon start running again for everyone.
During his visit, he opened new development projects, including a special machine called a dialysis unit that helps sick people.
The Chief Minister asked people to trust each other, forgive past problems, and think of themselves as Indians first and then as Manipuris.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the highways belong to the whole nation, so everyone must be allowed to use them.
These steps are meant to help people live together peacefully and bring normal life back to Manipur.
Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen announced the immediate reopening of NH-2 and NH-37 for free movement of people from all communities.
The announcement was made during Singh's visit to Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, where he inaugurated several development projects, including a dialysis unit.
Movement on both highways, which pass through Kangpokpi district, had been severely affected for sections of the population since ethnic violence broke out on May 3, 2023.
Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Guwahati bus services will resume shortly for all communities.
On the same day, members of Naga and Meitei communities burnt tyres on NH-2 in Kangpokpi during a protest over the death of six Naga civilians in Leilon Vaiphei village in June.
- Who
- Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, joined by Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet.
- What
- Announced the immediate reopening of National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and National Highway 37 for free movement of people from all communities, with Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Guwahati bus services resuming shortly.
- When
- Saturday, August 8.
- Where
- Kangpokpi district headquarters in Manipur, India.
- Why
- To restore peace and normalcy after ethnic violence that broke out on May 3, 2023, severely restricted highway movement for sections of the population.
- Chief Minister
- Y Khemchand Singh
- Deputy Chief Minister
- Nemcha Kipgen
- Reopened Highways
- NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Silchar, also described as Imphal-Jiribam)
- Announcement Location
- Kangpokpi district headquarters, Kuki-majority district
- Ethnic Violence Began
- May 3, 2023
- Bus Services Resuming
- Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Guwahati
- Inaugurated Projects
- Development projects including a dialysis unit
- Government
- BJP-led state government
