Manipur govt likely to resume operations on Imphal-Mao and Tiddim highways with the deployment of additional security forces

Guwahati: The Manipur government is likely to resume operations on Imphal- Kangpokpi-Mao (Imphal-Mao highway) and Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur (Tiddim highway) with the deployment of additional security forces from Saturday.

These routes were facing blockades. A notice issued by chief secretary, Government of Manipur, Vineet Joshi stated that the move was taken for convenience of the people of the state who are reeling under the prevailing conflict. The same will be effective from Saturday (December 23).

It asserted that additional security forces have been deployed under the operational command of senior officers namely IGP (Zone III), Nishit Kumar Ujjwal for Imphal- Kangpokpi- Mao highway and IGP (Zone II/ Int/ NAB), K Kabib for Imphal- Bishnupur- Churachandpur highway.


It mentioned that a convoy along Imphal-Kangpokpi-Mao highway will start from 9 am onwards (movement towards Mao) assembly of trucks/vehicles at BOC. While convoy for movement towards Imphal, assembly of trucks/vehicles will begin from 9 am onwards at Senapati Headquarters.

For, Imphal- Bishnupur-Churachandpur highway, assembly of trucks/vehicles for movement towards Churachandpur and Imphal will begin from 9 am onwards at Malom and Torbung respectively, it stated.The notice urged all residents to take note of the same and extend their support and cooperation in public interest.

There has been a series of blockades since the ethnic strife broke out on May 3. This has impaired the movement of vehicles in Manipur and affected the movement of goods.

Unprecedented ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, following a tribal solidarity rally that turned violent in Churachandpur district, leading to retaliatory violence between Chin-Kuki-Zo and the Meitei communities across the state.

Manipur police has stated that as many as 175 people were killed, 1,108 others injured while 32 are missing in the ongoing ethnic strife which started on May 3.