Kangpokpi rolls out red carpet welcome to CM and team, reopening of highways announced
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08 2026: In a significant step towards restoring peace and stability in the State, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen today jointly announced the immediate reopening of National Highways for free movement of all communities in the State.

They also announced that the Imphal-Dimapur bus service will be resumed.

In a social media post, the Chief Minister wrote, "Pleased to announce that the Imphal-Guwahati Bus Service will resume very soon, further strengthening connectivity and promoting peace, unity and development in Manipur" .

Kangpokpi rolls out red carpet welcome to CM and team, reopening of highways announced

Backing the announcement of the Chief Minister, Nemcha said the National Highway was "nobody's property" but National property and backed the decision to start the bus service, with full security escort, as stated by the Chief Minister, reports our Kangpokpi correspondent.

Haokholet said people from all communities should be allowed to travel freely along the National Highways, describing it as the lifeline of Manipur since World War II .

As part of the Government's ongoing peace-building and reconciliation efforts, the Chief Minister visited Kangpokpi district headquarters and held meetings with various community leaders.

He also inaugurated several development projects and distributed welfare benefits to beneficiaries under different Government schemes.

On his way to Kangpokpi district headquarters in the morning, the Chief Minister received a warm welcome from villagers of Gamgiphai, said a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

Upon arrival at Kangpokpi, he was welcomed by Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, MLA Haokholet Kipgen, the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Chief Medical Officer and other senior district officials.

While inaugurating various development projects in the district, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand said Manipur has a history of about 3,000 years.

Recalling historical events, he mentioned the 19th-century "Seven Years' Devastation" as one of the most tragic periods in the State's history.

The Chief Minister stated that the boundaries of Manipur were formed by all communities and were protected by everyone.

People from all communities have made sacrifices to safeguard the State's territory.

It was unfortunate that some vested interest groups were trying to create confusion among people, Khemchand said before stressing that there is a solution to every crisis.

Khemchand Singh urged all communities to trust and support each other.

He said people should first consider themselves Indians and then Manipuris and expressed concern that people are now hesitant to identify themselves as Manipuris.

He emphasized that the development of India will remain incomplete without the development of the North East.

Similarly, he said the development of Manipur will be incomplete without the development of Kangpokpi district.

While inaugurating a dialysis unit at Kangpokpi district headquarters, the Chief Minister quoted a verse from the Bible and said that everyone should forgive and forget.

He said the Government is taking the 'twin conflicts' in the State very seriously.

He gave the example of Americans who take pride in their Nationality regardless of race and of Singaporeans who are proud to be Singaporean.

The Kangpokpi District Hospital will be upgraded to a 100-bed facility with CT-scan services, while Primary Health Centres will be constructed at Motbung and T.Vaichong.

The Saikul Community Health Centre will also be upgraded, said the Chief Minister.

A major retaining wall will be constructed along rivers in the district for flood control, while sports infrastructure will be developed in consultation with the Deputy Chief Minister and Kangpokpi legislators.

The Government will also begin construction of a City Convention Hall-cum-Guest House this year and establish a dedicated computerised examination centre in the district, Khemchand said.

The announcements came after the Chief Minister inaugurated a District Dialysis Unit and Blood Storage Facility at Kang-pokpi District Hospital.

Ambulances were also handed over to the district health authorities.

He stated that one PHC each will be constructed at Motbung and T Waichong.

He also announced that the Community Health Centre at Saikul will be upgraded.

These facilities will provide vital dialysis and blood services and ensure safer, timely transportation of patients, bringing essential healthcare closer to the people, said the Chief Minister in a social media post.

In addition, a major retaining wall will be constructed along the rivers in Kangpokpi district for flood control, the Chief Minister stated.

The Chief Minister announced that new sports facilities will be developed in consultation with Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and MLAs of Kangpokpi district in order to improve sports infrastructure and nurture sports- persons in the district.

Construction of a City Convention Hall cum Guest House will begin this year.

A dedicated computerized examination centre for the district will also be set up, he added.

Khemchand added the younger generation has been severely affected by the conflict.

In a post shared on social media, Khemchand said, "Glad to have flagged off solid waste management vehicles and launched plastic banks at the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council Complex, Kangpokpi in the presence of Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister Smt Nemcha Kipgen and Hon'ble NDA MLAs" .

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for an observation home for children in conflict with the law at Kangpokpi district headquarters.

Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen said that the day marked a historic occasion for everyone.

She said the present BJP-led Govt has been consis- tently working to bring development to the State.

Manipur can achieve complete development only when both the valley and the hill areas progress equally, Nemcha said.

She said that peace can be ensured through mutual love and trust among communities and sought the support of CSOs, public leaders, intellectuals to bring lasting peace to the State.

In his address, MLA Haokholet Kipgen said he was happy to meet his MLA colleagues after four years.

He appealed to all communities and those who were involved in the conflict to forget the past and return to normalcy.

He also said that National Highway-2 has been the lifeline of all communities in the State since World War II .

During the visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated a Dialysis Unit at the Community Health Centre and a District Blood Storage facility at Kangpokpi District Hospital.

He also handed over ambulances to the Chief Me- dical Officer, Kangpokpi.

Khemchand also distributed benefits and incentives under various Government schemes including PM-JAY, TB Mukt Bharat, Mission Vatsalya, sprayers under the Agriculture Department, PM-Kisan cards, PM Surya Ghar, cheques to IDPs and dialysis patients and solar pumps under PM-KUSUM .

He felicitated two young sportspersons, a football player and a badminton player for their outstanding performance in international competitions.

The proposed Imphal-Dimapur bus service, the Chief Minister's call to end division and the fresh development package for Kangpokpi emerged as the defining messages of his visit, placing connectivity, reconciliation and equitable development at the centre of the Government's outreach to the conflict-hit district.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLAs S Nishikant, H Dingo, Th Radheshyam, Y Radheshyam, T Robindro, Kh Raghumani, Noorul Hasan, P Brojen, Haokholet Kipgen, L Rameshwor, K Robindro, Th Arunkumar, S.Premchandra, Letzamang Haokip, Commissioner (Home), Commissioner (Health), heads of departments, and Waqf Board Chairman Antas Khan.