Imagi Meira questions on NH movement
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IMPHAL, Mar 30: The Chief Minister's statement citing "trust deficit" and "fear" as reasons for people not travelling on the Highways is unfortunate, and has created confusion among the public, Imagi Meira president Th Sujata has said today.
"The Chief Minister has claimed highways are open, and he has blamed it on the people for not travelling out of fear. Is the Chief Minister asking people to risk their lives and travel on the highways?" Sujata asked.
This reaction came after a purported video of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh commenting on the condition of the Manipur highways went viral on social media platforms.
In the video, the Chief Minister is seen answering a question and saying "highways are open".
The highways are open. But there is trust deficit between the communities, and fear among the people. The people on both sides are afraid of crossing into each other's region, Khemchand said, emphasising "trust deficit" and "fear" were reasons for people not travelling on the highways.
He said a few of his friends had recently travelled on the highway and "there is no checking" of identity of commuters on the road.
Speaking to reporters in front of the High Court of Manipur, Sujata hinted that the CM's statements don't reflect the reality on the ground.
The Chief Minister's statement is akin to asking people to risk their lives travelling on the highways, Sujata said.
While the CM has assured protection to people belonging to Kuki-Zo communities while visiting Imphal, no such protections have been assured and announced for people of the Meitei community, she said.
The CM seems to have forgotten that Meiteis have been killed in the past for crossing into their claimed region, Sujata said, apparently referring to the killing of Mayanglambam Rishikant, a resident of Kakching Khunou, at Churachandpur on January 21, 2026.
The Chief Minister should act impartially and implement security measures without taking sides, she said.
She was at the High Court for matters related to the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in October 2025 for opening the National Highways in Manipur, Sujata said.
The hearing of the PIL is ongoing and the High Court has not yet issued an order. Meanwhile, the CM has said that the Highways are open. The Government should clarify if the Highways are truly open and safe for people of all communities, Sujata said.
"The Chief Minister has claimed highways are open, and he has blamed it on the people for not travelling out of fear. Is the Chief Minister asking people to risk their lives and travel on the highways?" Sujata asked.
This reaction came after a purported video of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh commenting on the condition of the Manipur highways went viral on social media platforms.
In the video, the Chief Minister is seen answering a question and saying "highways are open".
The highways are open. But there is trust deficit between the communities, and fear among the people. The people on both sides are afraid of crossing into each other's region, Khemchand said, emphasising "trust deficit" and "fear" were reasons for people not travelling on the highways.
He said a few of his friends had recently travelled on the highway and "there is no checking" of identity of commuters on the road.
Speaking to reporters in front of the High Court of Manipur, Sujata hinted that the CM's statements don't reflect the reality on the ground.
The Chief Minister's statement is akin to asking people to risk their lives travelling on the highways, Sujata said.
While the CM has assured protection to people belonging to Kuki-Zo communities while visiting Imphal, no such protections have been assured and announced for people of the Meitei community, she said.
The CM seems to have forgotten that Meiteis have been killed in the past for crossing into their claimed region, Sujata said, apparently referring to the killing of Mayanglambam Rishikant, a resident of Kakching Khunou, at Churachandpur on January 21, 2026.
The Chief Minister should act impartially and implement security measures without taking sides, she said.
She was at the High Court for matters related to the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in October 2025 for opening the National Highways in Manipur, Sujata said.
The hearing of the PIL is ongoing and the High Court has not yet issued an order. Meanwhile, the CM has said that the Highways are open. The Government should clarify if the Highways are truly open and safe for people of all communities, Sujata said.