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. For the last two years, the ethnic clashes which led to Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribals retreat to their respective stronghold districts, have meant that they do not enter each other's areas. On March 8, 2025, governor Ajay Bhalla's first attempt to start bus movement between Imphal, Kangpokpi and Imphal-Churachandpur districts was met with protests, stone pelting and one death. Both Kangpokpi and Churachandpur are Kuki-Zo dominated districts, where Meiteis can't enter because of the ethnic hostilities. Security officials in Manipur said while Ukhrul is a Naga-dominated district, where ethnic clashes did not spread, a heavy deployment is in place because Meitei residents travelling to attend the festival in Ukhrul will have to travel via six Kuki-Zo villages along the highway. The six villages - Mongneljang, Gwaltabi, Zalenbung, Mongot-Chepu, Litan Sareikhong are along NH 202. Two others - Thawai Kuki and Zaolen - are close to the highway. In a notice issued on Monday, additional deputy commissioner of Ukhrul Polly Makan said: "In order to facilitate safe and efficient travel, it is advised that all visitors plan their journeys to and from Ukhrul via Yaingangpokpi between 8am to 4pm.Visitors travelling after 4pm will be escorted by security personnel." "Additionally, no movement of visitors will be permitted after 12 midnight..." A senior officer said: "Troops from BSF and Army are strategically placed along the stretch. A road opening party is already there. Unlike March 8, there should not be any problem because Ukhrul is a Naga-dominated area. Last time, the movement was right into the heart of the two most populated Kuki-Zo districts - Kangpokpi and Churachandpur. This time, Kuki-Zo groups have officially also not issued any statement to protest the movement. But we cannot take chances as it passes through the hills of Kuki-Zo villages..."...