Manipur bid to 'operationalise' 2 key highways hits roadblock

IMPHAL: The Manipur government's efforts to "operationalise" from Saturday two key highways linking Imphal with the hill districts after over seven months of ethnic strife suffered a jolt as two state-run buses plying under heavy security were forced to return midway to their bases by tribal protesters.

The Manipur State Transport bus to Mao in Senapati district carrying a few passengers came back from Kanglatongbi. Another MST bus to Churachandpur with no passengers was forced to return to Imphal from Phougakchao. The buses were stopped in spite of additional forces deployed along both highways for the resumption.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) announced an emergency shutdown in Kangpokpi district against the deployment of additional highway forces for the buses.

Similarly, the Churachandpur-based Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) declared on Friday that all borders within the district and those of Bishnupur "would be sealed". "We have inputs about an imminent threat to disrupt the Christmas season," the ITLF said, claiming the threat came from Imphal valley-based groups.