Manipur-Assam-Nagaland bus service resumes after over three years

Imphal: After a gap of more than three years, interstate passenger bus services between Manipur, Assam and Nagaland resumed on Friday, officials said. The passenger bus services were suspended following the outbreak of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribal communities in Manipur on May 3, 2023.

A senior Transport Department official said that, as part of the state government’s continuing efforts to restore peace and normalcy, public transport services on the Imphal-Dimapur (Nagaland)-Guwahati (Assam) route resumed on Friday, marking a significant development after a gap of more than three years since the unprecedented ethnic crisis erupted in the state.

He said a total of 125 passengers travelled on the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route in two buses and five Wingers.

The resumption of the service is considered an important step towards restoring normal life and strengthening interstate connectivity, particularly after prolonged disruptions caused by the ethnic conflict.

The official said that the resumption of the bus service has been widely appreciated by the public, with people welcoming the restoration of the crucial inter-state link.

“It has been widely appreciated by the public, with people welcoming the restoration of this crucial inter-state link,” the official told the media.

One of the passengers, Kiyam Kumarjit Singh from hilly Thoubal district, expressed his gratitude to the state government for the positive initiative. He said the new journey should usher in love, peace and harmony among all communities in the state and help people move beyond the painful events of the past.

“Let us all forgive and forget the past. Let us move forward for peace and development in Manipur,” he said.

Another woman passenger, Nivedita from Khundrakpam village in Imphal East district, also expressed hope that the resumption of the service would contribute to peace and normalcy in the state.

“May this journey bring peace in the state and God bless the government,” she said.

The buses smoothly crossed Kangpokpi, a predominantly Kuki-inhabited district, and Senapati, a Naga-inhabited district, without facing any trouble, officials said.

The buses will then enter Nagaland and proceed towards Assam’s main city, Guwahati.

Meanwhile, during his visit to the mountainous Kangpokpi district on August 8, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, along with Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and local MLA Haokholet Kipgen, announced the reopening of the National Highways for the free movement of people belonging to all communities.

Nemcha Kipgen and Haokholet Kipgen belong to the tribal community. They had also announced that the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati bus service would be resumed soon as part of efforts to restore normal interstate bus services and improve connectivity between Manipur and its neighbouring states.

The resumption of the bus service is expected to facilitate the movement of passengers between Manipur, Nagaland and Assam and is being seen as another step towards restoring normalcy and rebuilding confidence among people after more than three years of ethnic strife.

IANS