Manipur CM Reviews Law and Order Amid Highway Reopening Plans

Law and Order Review Meeting in Manipur

Imphal/New Delhi, Aug 10: On Monday, Manipur's Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh conducted a review of the law and order situation concerning the state's national highways, shortly after announcing intentions to reopen these routes for all communities.

During the meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Singh was joined by the Chief Secretary, Security Adviser, DGP, Commissioner (Home), and senior officials from the State police, Assam Rifles, Army, and CAPFs.

Singh shared on social media, "We addressed significant concerns regarding the safe operation of transport on the highways. All issues will be thoroughly examined, and necessary measures will be taken to ensure safe travel, secure highways, and uninterrupted connectivity for our citizens."

The discussions also included strategies to prevent any disruptions to peace and normal traffic flow along the highways.

Singh emphasized, "Our government is committed to ensuring safe, secure, and uninterrupted movement for passengers and essential goods on the highways while fostering peace, stability, and normalcy throughout Manipur."

This meeting followed Singh's recent visit to Kangpokpi district, where he declared that national highways would be reopened for all communities and that the Imphal-Guwahati bus service would resume.

Since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023, traffic along NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Silchar) has faced significant disruptions.

Goods transport on NH-2, a crucial lifeline for Manipur, has also been hindered due to blockades by Naga groups seeking justice for the killings of six community members by armed individuals in May.

In a related development, the Supreme Court has instructed a committee appointed by the apex court to verify claims that approximately 24,000 families affected by the 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur have not yet received benefits from government rehabilitation and welfare programs.

The bench was addressing the rehabilitation of individuals who lost their homes, residences, and livelihoods during the unrest.

While acknowledging the government's rehabilitation efforts, the court noted that funds had been allocated to over 4,000 beneficiaries out of around 7,000 identified for housing reconstruction. The government scheme provides Rs 5 lakh for kutcha houses and Rs 7 lakh for semi-pucca or pucca houses.

Additionally, more than 12,000 houses have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) for families impacted by the violence, as noted by the bench.

The court also highlighted that temporary shelters have been established, and Rs 51.95 crore has been allocated to 885 identified beneficiaries for permanent housing. Furthermore, Rs 1 lakh per household has been granted to families whose homes were completely destroyed.

However, representatives for some affected families reported that around 24,000 families have yet to receive benefits, as confirmed by ground-level verification. The court was informed that the details of these families have been submitted to a three-member committee led by Justice Gita Mittal.

"If that is the case, we request the committee to verify and confirm the details of the alleged affected families and provide a report regarding the implementation of the government welfare schemes noted by this Court in its order dated May 27, 2026," stated the Chief Justice of India.

The court also directed that an application concerning the properties of affected families be referred to the committee led by Justice Mittal for verification of their details and status.

The committee is expected to submit a report to the Supreme Court on this matter.