Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, alongside Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen, announced the immediate reopening of National Highways to all communities on Saturday. The government also confirmed the pending resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Guwahati bus services. These transport links faced prolonged closures following the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023.
The announcement arrived during an official visit to the Kangpokpi district headquarters. The Chief Minister held meetings with tribal leaders and civil society groups to push for reconciliation. He invoked the history of the 19th-century Seven Years Devastation to emphasize the necessity of collective survival. "Today marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy in Manipur," the Chief Minister stated in a social media update.
Khemchand urged residents to prioritize their national identity. He argued that the development of India is incomplete without the Northeast, just as the state's progress depends on the advancement of Kangpokpi. During the visit, he inaugurated a new dialysis unit, a district blood storage facility, and laid the foundation for an observation home for children.
The government committed to a 100-bed upgrade for the Kangpokpi District Hospital, including the addition of a CT scan facility. Further infrastructure projects include new Primary Health Centres in Motbung and T. Waichong, upgrades to the Saikul Community Health Centre, flood-control walls, and a new city convention hall. Officials also distributed benefits under programs such as PM-JAY, PM-Kisan, PM Surya Ghar, and PM-KUSUM, while providing financial aid to internally displaced persons.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen described the move as a historic turning point. She called for equal progress across hill and valley regions. Multiple state legislators attended the event, including H. Dingo, Th. Radheshyam, Y. Radheshyam, T. Robindro, Kh. Raghumani, Noorul Hasan, P. Brojen, S. Nishikanta, L. Rameshwor, K. Robindro, Th. Arunkumar, S. Premchandra, and Letzamang Haokip.
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