The Kuki Human Rights Council has condemned the resumption of the Imphal–Dimapur–Guwahati bus service, calling it “forced normalcy” and renewing its demand for political justice.
Imphal, August 21: The Kuki Human Rights Council (KHRC) has condemned the resumption of public transport services along National Highway-2 between Imphal, Dimapur and Guwahati, describing the move as “forced peace” and accusing the governments of India and Manipur of imposing normalcy without addressing the political and humanitarian concerns of the Kuki community.
The statement came hours after public transport services resumed on the route on Friday, nearly three years after the outbreak of the conflict in Manipur. According to the state government, 125 passengers travelled in two buses and five wingers on the first day of the service.
In its press release, the KHRC rejected the government’s portrayal of the resumption as a sign of normalcy. The organisation alleged that the movement was possible because the highway had been heavily secured and that passengers were escorted by security forces through Kangpokpi and Senapati districts.
The council questioned the use of the development as evidence of restored peace while, according to its statement, members of the Kuki community continue to live in relief camps and grievances arising from the violence since May 2023 remain unresolved.
As part of my government's continued efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the state, Bus service of Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati has resumed today after more than three years. Two buses and five wingers, carrying 125 passengers have safely reach Senapati a while ago. pic.twitter.com/b2gm0RqNxz
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) August 21, 2026
The KHRC disputed the description of the journey as having taken place “without any incident”. It alleged that the absence of incidents was the result of extensive security deployment along the highway.
The organisation claimed that the route had been “sanitized and militarized” and accused the authorities of facilitating the movement of Meitei passengers through areas it described as Kuki ancestral lands.
The council argued that restoring transport without first resolving outstanding political and security concerns could not be equated with genuine peace.
It also criticised the appeal to “forgive and forget the past”, maintaining that such an appeal could not be imposed on victims while questions of accountability and justice remain unresolved.
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The KHRC said genuine peace would require political dialogue and what it described as political justice, along with recognition of tribal land and rights.
The KHRC further alleged that the governments of India and Manipur were favouring the Meitei community through the resumption of public transport.
These are allegations made by the organisation and were not independently established in the statement.
The council said the use of security forces to facilitate transport through conflict-affected areas sent what it described as a negative message about the protection of tribal rights and autonomy.
It also alleged that authorities were attempting to create divisions within the Kuki community through surrendered groups, Suspension of Operations (SoO) factions and civil organisations supporting the restoration of normal movement.
The KHRC demanded that the Centre stop what it described as “divide-and-rule” tactics within the Kuki community.
The organisation also renewed its longstanding demand for a separate political arrangement for the Kuki community.
It appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address what it described as the political grievances of the Kuki people and called for the creation of a separate State or a Union Territory with a legislature.
The KHRC listed six demands in its statement, including rejection of what it called “forced normalcy”, opposition to the deployment of security forces to facilitate transport, an end to alleged efforts to divide the Kuki community, and granting of a separate State or Union Territory with a legislature.
The council also appealed to tribal organisations and Scheduled Tribe communities across India to view the situation as a matter concerning wider tribal rights.
It further called on the National Human Rights Commission and international human rights organisations to take cognisance of what it termed state-sponsored majoritarianism.
The statement comes as the Manipur Government seeks to restore movement along key highways and revive public transport services disrupted during the prolonged crisis.
The Imphal–Dimapur–Guwahati service resumed on August 21 with 125 passengers travelling in seven vehicles. The government has described the restoration of the route as a step towards restoring normal life and inter-State connectivity.
