WMC urges PM to open highways
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 26 2025: The World Meetei Council (WMC) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding appropriate actions to secure and open National Highways.

Despite the Centre's direct rule through the imposition of the President's Rule in Manipur, the National Highways which are the lifelines of the State remain blocked to members of the Meetei/Meitei community, said WMC in its letter sent to the PM today.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured that the highways would be opened and secured, but no visible progress has been made.

The persistent blockade against the Meetei community on the National Highways has left the Meetei people feeling abandoned, WMC asserted.

Notably, the National Highways have remained inaccessible to the Meetei/Meitei community since May 3, 2023, when the ongoing conflict broke out in Manipur.

Nearly two years into the conflict, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured that there would be free movement of all people on all roads in Manipur from March 8, 2025.Significantly, the Union Home Minister's call for free movement was met with strong opposition from the Kuki community.

Security forces escorting State buses to effect free movement on March 8 clashed with protesters in Kuki inhabited areas.

Vehicles were set on fire and stones were pelted on the security forces personnel.

Since then, there have been no attempts to secure and open the highways.

In its letter, the WMC said that the Centre's inaction continues to cause immense hardship and growing frustration among the Meetei/Meitei people.

"We humbly urge your esteemed office to intervene and take decisive action to open and secure the National Highways in Manipur.

Such a step would not only alleviate the suffering of the Meetei people but also reaffirm their faith in the Nation and its leadership," WMC urged the Prime Minister.

In the letter, the World Meetei Council (WMC) also expressed their "deep sorrow and condolences for the tragic massacre in Pahalgam, Kashmir".

"Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and the Nation" said WMC .

It highlighted that "...there appears to be a misconception-possibly influenced by certain Central security agencies-that the Meetei community questions its Indian identity or harbours separatist sentiments" .

Denying such a notion, WMC clarified and explained that historically, Manipur was a sovereign Southeast Asian kingdom until its occupation by the British in 1891.Since then, the people have naturally and unwittingly embraced the Indian ethos with sincerity, it added.

"Our cultural practices, from our holy attire - dhoti and kurta to religious customs- tilaka on the forehead, vegetarian rituals, reverence for Indian art forms, reflect an unwavering alignment with Indian traditions - regardless of faith, whether Hindu or Sanamahi, the indigenous Meetei religion," WMC said.

"Indeed, we may be separated by language, looks and traditions but not by spirit or loyalty.

It is unfortunate that these barriers have fostered misunderstanding rather than unity," WMC said.

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