Mistrust keeps hill residents off valley roads despite new govt

Silchar: Nearly two years after ethnic violence erupted in Manipur, everyday mobility continues to reflect deep mistrust between communities, even as the state has returned to an elected govt following the withdrawal of the President’s Rule on Wednesday.

Residents from the hill districts — particularly those belonging to Hmar, Kuki, and other tribal groups — remain reluctant to travel by road through Meitei-dominated valley areas, citing lingering fears and a fragile sense of security. For many, the perception of risk outweighs convenience, forcing them to take longer and costlier routes.


The trend is evident among people from Manipur working in Assam, especially in Silchar and other parts of the Barak Valley. Instead of using the Jiribam-Tipaimukh road, long considered Manipur’s lifeline to the region, several hill residents now prefer river travel along the Barak to reach their homes.

“During holidays, I go home to Tipaimukh only by boat to avoid the motor road,” said a Hmar man employed in Silchar. “There is still a sense of insecurity on roads passing through Meitei areas.”

Observers say the choice of transport has become a barometer of trust. While large-scale violence has subsided since the clashes of May 2023, sporadic incidents, heavy security presence, and continued physical segregation of communities have kept anxieties alive. For many hill residents, travelling through valley areas remains fraught with psychological and perceived risk.

The prolonged unrest had led to the imposition of the President’s Rule in the state, reflecting a breakdown of political and administrative confidence amid sustained ethnic strife. With the lifting of central rule on Wednesday and the formation of a new govt led by Yumnam Khemchand Singh, hopes have been raised for a gradual return to normalcy.

However, local analysts caution that restoring road connectivity alone will not heal the deeper rupture. “Infrastructure can be repaired quickly, but trust takes much longer,” said a Silchar-based observer. “The fact that people are still choosing rivers over roads shows how enduring the fear is.”

The altered travel patterns have also had economic consequences. Traders, daily wage workers, and students now factor safety perceptions into routine decisions, often losing time and income in the process. River journeys are slower and dependent on weather, yet many see them as safer than highways cutting across contested spaces.

Despite repeated assurances from both the state and Centre about improved law and order, the ground reality suggests reconciliation remains tentative. Much will now depend on whether the new government can go beyond security measures to initiate confidence-building steps between communities.

“For now, people are watching closely,” an observer said. “The return of an elected government is a beginning. The real test is whether it can restore trust and make ordinary travel feel ordinary again in Manipur.”