IMPHAL, AUG 24: Public transport services along the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route via National Highway-2 were disrupted for sometime today following the “unwanted incident between two communities” in Taphou village area near Senapati district headquarters, an official statement said. The departure of the vehicles was delayed due to the situation that arose at Taphou village in Senapati district along NH-2. “However, timely intervention by the security forces prevented the situation from escalating further and the vehicles left for Dimapur and Guwahati this afternoon around 1 pm”, the official statement further said.Â
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It can be mentioned here that, as part of the Manipur government’s continuing efforts to restore peace and normalcy, public transport services on the Imphal–Dimapur–Guwahati route resumed on August 21, marking a significant development after a gap of nearly three years since the unprecedented crisis in the state.
This was the third day where the public transport services have started operating. More than 250 passengers, including women and children, left Imphal for Dimapur and Guwahati in a fleet of 5 buses and 7 Winger vehicles under fool-proof security today, the official statement also said.
Adequate security personnel and Road Opening Parties (ROP) have been deployed along the vulnerable stretches of the highway to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles. The government is committed to safeguarding civilians while maintaining peace and harmony in the State, the statement further said.
The large number of passengers using the resumed public road transport service shows the trust and confidence that people have in the peace initiatives taken up by the State Government, the official statement added.
Meanwhile, around 100 passengers who started their journey from Guwahati Sunday reached the ISBT Bus Terminus in Imphal safely this afternoon. No unwanted incidents were reported along the highway during their journey.
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One of the passengers named, Ngangbam Biren from Thoubal district, who was travelling from Guwahati, while welcoming the initiatives of the Government under the leadership Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh narrated that the whole journey from Guwahati to Imphal was pleasant and peaceful, the official statement also said. He exuded that the journey after more than three years of interval would remain memorable.
Okram Sunil Kumar Singh of Wangjing, Thoubal district maintained that his journey from Assam to Manipur via NH-2 was safe for all communities and encouraged others to travel through Inter State Transport Service initiated by the Government of Manipur, the official statement also said. He also expressed his gratitude to both Naga and Kuki communities residing along the NH-2 for their co-operation and smooth passage of the vehicles.
