The state bus services were started along the Imphal to Kangpokpi to Mao route on NH-2 and Imphal to Bishnupur to Churachandpur route on Tiddim road on Saturday morning, following the notification to resume transportation of both passenger and goods vehicles, but the measures came to a grinding halt after tribal groups foiled the plans.
The MST (Manipur State Transport) buses under heavy security forces were headed towards Kanglatongbi but returned from Kanglatongbi along NH2 and from the Phougakchou Ikhai at Tiddim road.
Chief secretary Vineet Joshi had issued a notification stating that strict security measures have been implemented to resume transportation of both passenger and goods vehicles along the highways.
The state government authorities also deployed heavy security along the NH-2 between Kanglatongbi and Mao since early Saturday morning. Central paramilitary forces and the state police were seen stationed along the route.
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Although private transporters, including passenger services, have not resumed operations, one MST bus service between Imphal and Senapati departed from North AOC this morning at around 10:30 am, with some passengers belonging to the Mao and Tangkhul communities.
The bus driver was also not from the Meitei community. However, as the bus reached the Kanglatongbi area, a large number of volunteers, under the command of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), stopped the bus and forced it to turn back.
Meanwhile, the MST bus that departed from Malom to Churachandpur with only one passenger was also forced to return from the Phougakchao Ikhai, Bishnupur district, after a large number of people, under the aegis of the ITLF, halted them despite the presence of heavy central security forces.
It may be mentioned that Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) on December 22 issued a public notice that all the borders within Churachandpur district and Bishenpur district will be sealed for security reasons.
“We have received intelligence input about an imminent threat by the Meitei to disrupt the Christmas season,” stated in the public notice issued by convenor Ngulmang Haokip of United Tribal Volunteers, ITLF.
It stated that from December 23, 2023 till January 5, 2024, all non-tribals within the district are not allowed to move out of the district and those non-tribals from outside are not permitted to move inside the district.
Earlier, the Drivers’ Union of Manipur had stated that even though they welcome the government notification for opening of the NH2, they cannot take the risk if any unwanted consequences happened. However, the Union neither encourages the drivers nor stops them from resuming their service. But said that it will be at the own risk of the drivers if they want to resume service along this route.
Our Correspondent added that the state government’s attempt to ferry the convoy along the National Highway-2 (Imphal-Kangpokpi-Mao route) was foiled as armed mobs came out on the street to confront any movement of the convoy at various locations from Gamgiphai to Kangpokpi District Headquarters.
The Governor’s programme to inaugurate the pre-fabricated house at Champhai was also cancelled owing to the situation.
The mob also imposed an emergency shutdown at Kangpokpi District Headquarters putting down all shutters of shops and business establishments. However, though vehicular movement was not restricted, intense frisking and checking were carried out along the highway at Kangpokpi District Headquarters and Gamgiphai.
The launching of the Manipur State Transport (MST) bus service between Imphal-Senapati was also foiled as the MTS bus carrying few passengers and moving towards Senapati could not cross the buffer zone till the filing of this report.
It was reported that the MST bus with six passengers was emptied somewhere at Kanglatongbi near Gamgiphai and the passengers were shifted to the Senapati/Mao passenger bus.
