In Manipur, the initiative of the Central Government on free movement across the state from today faced protests along the National Highway-2 (Imphal-Dimapur Road), and one protestor succumbed to bullet injuries.

It may be mentioned that the movement along National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) and National Highway 2 (Imphal-Dimapur Road) could not have taken place since the ethnic conflict in Manipur in May 2023. However, the Union Home Minister, during the security meeting held on 1st March 2025, in New Delhi, directed the high-ranking officials and security forces to take up all possible measures to resume free movement across the state from today.

As directed, passenger buses destined for Churachandpur and Senapati districts along two national highways were flagged off from Imphal Airport this morning. The police report said that while the buses and other vehicles reached Churachandpur without any obstacles along the highways, the buses bound for Senapati districts faced protests along National Highway 2. A large number of protesters blocked the road in the Gamgiphai and Keithelmanbi areas of the Kangpokpi district, demanding no free movement until a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community. The protesters also burnt down a security force’s vehicle and vandalised other vehicles.

The report said that security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters who were blocking the road and vandalising public and private vehicles. One protester succumbed to injuries in the protest while dozens sustained minor injuries. Afterwards, the buses destined for Senapati crossed the demonstration area amidst tight security. Additional security measures have been taken in the sensitive areas to avoid further unwanted incidents.