New Delhi/Imphal, May 20 -- The Border Security Force (BSF) and Army personnel have taken over the security of National Highway 202 that connects Imphal East and Ukhrul districts in Manipur on Monday, a day before the five-day Shirui Lily Festival is scheduled to begin for the first time since the ethnic conflict broke out in the northeastern state in May 2023. The festival is held in honour of the state flower Shirui Lily found in the hills of the Tangkhul Naga-majority Ukhrul district. The security has been beefed up as a precautionary measure as the route to the festival passes through Kuki-Zo villages. With state administration offering three interdistrict buses (under tight security) for those wishing to travel from the Imphal valley to Ukhrul, officials believe this is the second real test for the government in their bid to restore normalcy by starting free movement.HTC...