Resumption of Bus and Helicopter Services in Select Manipur Districts Starting Saturday
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Synopsis
The Manipur government, on the directive of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, will resume bus services between Imphal and various districts starting Saturday. Helicopter services will also operate on specific routes, aiming to facilitate transportation amidst ongoing tensions.
Key Takeaways
- Bus services between Imphal and five other districts will resume.
- Central Armed Police Force will escort the buses.
- Helicopter services will connect Imphal with Churachandpur and Ukhrul.
- Safety measures are in place to protect public transport.
- The state government is committed to restoring peace.
Imphal, March 7 (NationPress) Following instructions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the government of Manipur announced on Friday the restart of passenger bus services beginning Saturday, connecting Imphal with several districts.
On Friday evening, Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh declared that bus operations would commence at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning across four routes linking five districts: Imphal, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Bishnupur, and Churachandpur.
Under the escort of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), Manipur State Transport (MST) buses will operate on these routes, which span both valley and hill regions, as stated by the Chief Secretary.
Additionally, Singh reiterated that the state government had previously announced the initiation of helicopter services under the Manipur Heli Service for two routes connecting Imphal with Churachandpur and Ukhrul districts.
“People can utilize the bus and helicopter services on the designated routes. Any individual found obstructing the movement of MST buses will face prosecution under applicable laws,” the Chief Secretary emphasized.
Last December, attempts to restart public bus services from Imphal to Kangpokpi and Churachandpur were unsuccessful as no passengers appeared due to safety concerns at the MST station in Moirangkhom in Imphal.
Major highways in Manipur have remained blocked amid ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023.
The bus services are set to resume on Saturday following a directive from the Union Home Minister during a crucial review meeting in Delhi on March 1, instructing officials to guarantee the unhindered movement of people on all roads in Manipur from March 8, while also calling for strict measures against any obstructions.
Present at the March 1 meeting were Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor to the state government, Director General of Manipur police, Home Commissioner, senior Army officials, Assam Rifles, Central Armed Police Forces, and intelligence personnel.
During this meeting, the Home Minister remarked that the Centre, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is fully dedicated to restoring enduring peace in Manipur and is providing all necessary support to achieve this goal.
