Violence mars Day 1 of 'free movement' in Manipur, inter-district bus attacked in Kangpokpi

A state transport bus was attacked on Day 1 of 'free movement' in Manipur.

Violence marred the first day of the Centre's decision to reinstate 'free movement' across the conflict-hit state after nearly two years on Saturday.

The Centre had announced that should be no road blockades anywhere from today in the state. However, the northeastern state that came under the President’s rule recently, after Chief Minister N Biren Singh tendered his resignation, saw fresh blocks and barricades opposing the free movement in the hill districts.

A bus of the Manipur state transport was attacked in Kangpokpi after inter-district buses resumed from Imphal to hill areas for the first time since the clashes erupted.

The attack on the Senapati district-bound bus occurred when the passenger vehicle was hurled with stones by a mob in Kangpokpi district’s Gamgiphai area.

The bus was reportedly attacked by the Kuki tribes, who want no free movement until their demand for a separate administration carved out of the state is met, according to an NDTV report.

Security forces fired tear gas shells and baton-charged the mob, leading to injuries to a few demonstrators, the officials said, PTI reported.

The buses to the hill districts of Churachandpur and Senapati were flagged off from Imphal airport around 10 am without any passengers, and a large convoy of central forces, including army personnel, escorted the vehicles.

The Churachandpur-bound bus reached Kangvai after crossing the Bishnupur district without any hindrance, the officials said.

The state transport bus services resumed to "alleviate public inconveniences and as an initiative towards bringing normalcy

This came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah had recently directed security forces to ensure free movement of people on all routes in Manipur from March 8 and also called for strict action against those creating obstructions, News18 reported.

Chairing a meeting to review the security situation of Manipur, he said the Centre remains fully committed to restoring lasting peace in the state and is providing all necessary assistance in this regard.

This was the first such meeting held after the imposition of the President’s rule in the northeastern state, which has been witnessing ethnic violence since May 2023. Over 250 people have lost their lives in the violence.

The state government attempted to resume the bus services earlier in December from Imphal to Kangpokpi and Churachandpur but failed when no passengers showed up at the Manipur State Transport (MST) station in Moirangkhom, Imphal.