The Manipur government has announced the resumption of bus and helicopter services on Saturday (March 8, 2025).
The resumption of terrestrial and air services, suspended since the ethnic clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people broke out in May 2023, is timed with Home Minister Amit Shah’s directive on free movement from March 8.
The buses will be escorted by the central armed police forces, a statement issued by the State’s Chief Secretary said.
“It is for the information of the general public that the State government has arranged bus service by Manipur State Transport Buses under CAPF escort…as an initiative towards bringing normalcy in the State starting from 08-03-2025 at 9:00 a.m. from Imphal Airport,” the statement said.
The buses will ply on Imphal-Kangpokpi-Senapati, Senapati-Kangpokpi-Imphal, Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur and Churachandpur-Bishnupur-Imphal routes, covering Meitei, Kuki, and Naga areas.
“It is also reiterated that State government has already announced to start the operation of helicopter service under the Manipur Heli Service…” the statement further stated.
Urging people to use the bus and helicopter services for conveyance, the statement said anyone found involved in any act disturbing the movement of the MST buses would be prosecuted under relevant laws.
