Security forces dismantled illegal checkpoints set up by local residents on the highway connecting Imphal and Churachandpur districts in Manipur on Saturday, two days after President’s Rule was imposed in the ethnically divided northeastern state, according to police.
The illegal checkpoints in Churachandpur district were set up by village volunteers from the Kuki-Zo community on National Highway 2 in May 2023, when violence first broke out in the state, to prevent Meiteis from entering Imphal and Bishnupur Valley districts. Since then, ethnic conflict in the state has killed at least 250 people.
This is the first time in 21 months that forces have been able to dismantle checkpoints and take control of the area, allowing vehicles to move freely.
The Manipur police said in a statement on Saturday that forces have taken over the area as the security situation has improved and will now allow civilian vehicles to move freely.
“On February 15, joint security forces dismantled volunteer checkpoints at Kaprang and S Kwatlian on NH-2 near Churachandpur.” These positions had been established since the start of the conflict and were no longer required as the security situation had improved significantly.
Security forces have taken over these locations, allowing common vehicles to move freely. The Manipur police said in a statement that law enforcement agencies are still committed to keeping our highways safe and orderly.
The development comes just days after the Union government announced that it was imposing President’s Rule in Manipur, potentially averting a constitutional crisis after failing to find a replacement for former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who resigned on February 9, and missing a deadline to convene the state’s legislative assembly.
For nearly two years, the state has been roiled by clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which have displaced approximately 50,000 people.
