Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has reviewed the state’s law and order situation as the government prepares to restore regular movement along key national highways. The Chief Minister chaired a high-level Unified Command security meeting in Imphal on August 10 to assess security arrangements across the state.
The meeting also focused on security along the National Highways. The review comes shortly after the state government announced plans to reopen highways for free movement and resume important bus services. Officials and security agencies discussed the arrangements needed to make the reopening safe for passengers, transporters and other road users.
Khemchand Singh Chairs Unified Command Meeting
Khemchand Singh chaired the Combined Headquarters, also known as the Unified Command, meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal. Senior officials from the state government, police, Army and central security forces attended the meeting.
Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and Manipur Director General of Police Mukesh Singh took part in the discussions. Senior Army officers, including Major General Gaurav Sharma and Major General Subhankar Basu, also attended.
Representatives from the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Sashastra Seema Bal joined the meeting. Intelligence officials also participated in the security review.
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The wide participation reflected the importance of the highway reopening plans. The government wants security agencies to coordinate closely before regular civilian movement increases on the state’s highways.
Security Along National Highways Gets Priority
The security situation along Manipur’s National Highways remained a key issue during the meeting. These highways connect the state with neighbouring regions and serve as important routes for people, transporters and essential supplies.
Ethnic violence since May 2023 disrupted normal movement across the state. Several highways faced blockades and counter-blockades during the conflict. Communities also stopped travelling freely through areas controlled or dominated by other groups.
The government now wants to restore normal movement gradually. However, the administration recognises that reopening the highways requires strong security arrangements.
The Unified Command therefore examined the current security environment and discussed measures to protect commuters and transport operators. The government also wants to prevent incidents that could undermine public confidence in the reopening process.
Government Plans to Resume Bus Services
After the security meeting, Khemchand Singh held another meeting with senior security officials and representatives of transporters. The discussions focused on the planned return of the Imphal-Guwahati and Imphal-Dimapur bus services.
The Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen had announced the reopening plans from Kangpokpi district headquarters on August 8.
The planned bus services could mark an important step towards restoring public transportation between Manipur and neighbouring regions. Regular bus connectivity can also help students, workers, traders and families who depend on affordable road transport.
The government has linked the resumption of these services with improved security along the highways. Authorities therefore want transporters and security agencies to work together before the services resume.
Highway Reopening Seen as Step Towards Normalcy
The reopening of the highways carries importance beyond transportation. It could also become an important confidence-building measure in a state that has experienced prolonged ethnic tensions.
Since the violence began in May 2023, movement between different communities has remained severely restricted. The division between the valley and hill areas has affected travel, trade and social interaction.
The government has repeatedly stressed the importance of restoring free movement. Khemchand Singh has also urged communities to resolve grievances through dialogue instead of blockades and shutdowns.
In May, the Chief Minister said his responsibility included ensuring free movement between communities. He also urged people to avoid actions that hurt daily wage workers and ordinary residents.
Past Incidents Highlight Security Concerns
The administration faces significant security challenges while reopening the highways. Previous attempts to restore unrestricted movement have faced resistance.
In March 2025, state-run Manipur State Transport Corporation buses faced an attack during an effort to ensure free movement. One person died and around 20 others suffered injuries.
The incident highlighted the risks involved in restoring public transportation in areas affected by ethnic tensions. The government must therefore balance its push for normal movement with the need to protect passengers and transport workers.
The latest security review seeks to address these concerns before the government expands highway movement.
Manipur’s Conflict Continues to Shape Security Policy
The current security measures come against the backdrop of the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023. More than 260 people died, over 1,500 suffered injuries and more than 60,000 people were displaced during the violence, according to The Economic Times.
The conflict created deep divisions between communities and disrupted movement across the state. Many residents could not safely travel through areas associated with another community.
Khemchand Singh took office in February 2026 after the Centre ended President’s Rule in Manipur. Since then, his government has focused on peace efforts, community outreach and the restoration of normal life.
The Chief Minister has also met people from different communities as part of efforts to rebuild trust. Earlier developments included joint interactions involving representatives of communities that had remained divided since the violence.
Centre and State Focus on Peace and Stability
The Manipur government’s latest security review also fits into a broader effort by the Centre and the state to improve the security situation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the law and order situation with Khemchand Singh in April. During that meeting, Shah asked the Chief Minister to accelerate the peace process and strengthen cooperation among different communities.
The Centre has continued to monitor developments in Manipur as the state works towards restoring stability. The state government, meanwhile, has sought greater coordination between civilian authorities and security agencies.
Free Movement Could Boost Trade and Daily Life
The reopening of highways could provide significant economic benefits for Manipur. The state’s businesses depend heavily on road connectivity for the movement of goods.
Traders need reliable routes to bring food, fuel, medicines and other essential products into the state. Transporters also depend on safe highways to reduce delays and additional costs.
Improved connectivity could benefit ordinary residents as well. Students could travel more easily between districts. Families could visit relatives across communities. Workers and small businesses could also regain access to wider markets.
However, the government needs to maintain security for the reopening to succeed. Any major incident could damage public confidence and make future movement more difficult.
Government Seeks Safe Return to Normalcy
Khemchand Singh’s latest security review shows that the government sees highway reopening as both a transportation and security challenge. The administration wants to restore free movement, but it also wants to ensure that people can travel without fear.
The planned return of the Imphal-Guwahati and Imphal-Dimapur bus services could become an important milestone in that process. The services could reconnect Manipur with neighbouring regions and provide greater mobility to residents.
The success of the reopening will depend on continued coordination between the state government, police, Army, central forces, intelligence agencies and transporters.
For Manipur, restoring highway connectivity represents an important step towards normal life. The government now faces the task of ensuring that the roads remain open, secure and accessible to everyone. If the Manipur highway reopening 2026 plans proceed smoothly, they could strengthen connectivity while also supporting the state’s broader efforts to rebuild peace, trust and normalcy.
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