The Imphal-Dimapur Road along National Highway-2, also known as the Trans Asian Highway No 1, will reopen from June 5 after a month-long blockade since the wide-scale violence that erupted on May 3.
National Highway 2 passes through the violent hit-hard Kangpokpi district connecting Manipur state capital Imphal with the rest of the world.
Although no organizations had officially declared a blockade along the National Highway-2, it wore a deserted look ever since the wide-scale violence erupted in the state, as vehicles, mainly, essential commodities carriers remained off the road.
During Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kangpokpi district, he appealed to the people for smooth traffic flow along the highway.
The Committee on Tribals Unity Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District had a wide consultation with various civil society organizations, including village chiefs, youth leaders, women’s forum, and other prominent Kuki leaders over the Union Home Minister’s appeal and also several other issues.
According to the spokesperson of the Committee on Tribals Unity (COTU), Sadar Hills, Rev K Sitlhou, as a goodwill gesture to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kangpokpi District on May 31 and his humble appeal, the people of Kangpokpi decided to clear and open the National Highway-2 temporarily for seven days, starting from June 5.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday appealed to the people of Manipur to lift the blockade at Imphal-Dimapur road on National Highway 2 and requested the CSOs to do the needful in bringing consensus in the state.
In a release, security advisor to the state government, Kuldiep Singh, stated that the situation in Manipur by and large remains under control. There are reports of blockades at Imphal-Dimapur NH 2 and the home minister has appealed to the people to lift the blockade, it mentioned.
“My sincerest appeal to the people of Manipur is to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur, NH 2 highway, so that food, medicines, petrol/diesel and other necessary items can reach the people. I also request the CSOs to do the needful in bringing consensus. Together only we can restore normalcy in this beautiful state,” Amit Shah tweeted.
COTU spokesperson, however, said that only essential commodities and medical supplies will be allowed to ply on the highway with the escort of the central forces.
The timing for the movement of essential commodities trucks shall be limited between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, he added.
“This is done wholly in support of the Peace Mission of the Government of India to address the Kuki political issue,” Sitlhou asserted.
He then said that if there was any violence in the form of an attack, arson, etc. on the Kuki people and villages by the Meitei community during the suspension of the blockade, the committee will be compelled to review the matter.
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The security advisor said curfew relaxation had been made for 12 hours in the valley and 10 hours and seven hours in the neighbouring hill districts. It stated that during the last 24 hours, 23 more arms have been recovered which makes a total of 202 arms, 252 ammunition and 92 bombs of all kinds recovered after the visit of the union home minister. A total of 789 arms and 10648 ammunition have been recovered to date, the security advisor added.
