The pressing need for a solution to violence—a compassionate acknowledgment of trauma, a credible peace process involving all stakeholders, and justice for victims—appears overshadowed by the spectacle of financial allocation.
TFM Report
In a visit laden with political symbolism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to arrive in Manipur on Saturday, his first since ethnic violence erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities over 16 months ago—a period marked by profound human suffering, economic paralysis, and a pervasive sense of abandonment by the central government.
The itinerary, finalized amidst ongoing but fragile peace, positions massive infrastructure investment as the primary antidote to the state’s deep-seated wounds. The Prime Minister’s tour will see him lay foundation stones for projects worth Rs 7,300 crore in the Kuki-Zo majority district of Churachandpur, a major flashpoint of the conflict, before inaugurating projects worth Rs 1,200 crore at a public rally in the Meitei-majority valley in Imphal.
A Narrative of Development Versus Ground Realities
Official statements, led by Chief Secretary Puneet Goel, frame the visit as a reflection of the Prime Minister’s “continued commitment and dedication for the development and welfare of the state.” However, this narrative invites critical scrutiny. The announcement of bridges, markets, IT parks, and stadiums is being presented by the ruling BJP—as seen in a press conference featuring national spokesperson Sambit Patra and state leaders—as a comprehensive solution. This approach risks reducing a complex ethnic conflict, rooted in historical grievances, identity politics, and contested land rights, to a simple equation of infrastructural deficit.
Critics have already argued that this “development-as-panacea” model sidesteps the central government’s prolonged silence and perceived inaction during the worst of the violence, which has claimed over 200 lives and displaced nearly 60,000 people. The pressing need for a solution to violence—a compassionate acknowledgment of trauma, a credible peace process involving all stakeholders, and justice for victims—appears overshadowed by the spectacle of financial allocation.
The Optics of Allocation: Billboards Over Breakthroughs?
The preparations in Imphal reveal a keen focus on optics. A 20-foot welcome gate and numerous billboards highlighting the projects have been erected along the Prime Minister’s route. The seven-kilometre stretch from the airport has been fortified and beautified, presenting a veneer of normalcy. This state-managed spectacle raises questions about whether the visit is designed for genuine engagement or for media consumption, portraying a return to business-as-usual that many on the ground feel is premature.
The distribution of projects also merits analysis. By announcing significant investments in both the hill and valley areas, the central government appears to be attempting a balancing act. However, without a concurrent and transparent political outreach to bridge the immense trust deficit between the communities, there is a risk that these projects could be perceived through a partisan lens, further entrenching existing geographical and ethnic divisions rather than healing them.
The Projects: A Mixed Bag of Needs and Wants
The list of projects itself is a mix of essential infrastructure and symbolic ventures. Initiatives like super-speciality healthcare in remote districts (Rs. 105 crore), strengthening 120 schools (Rs. 134 crore), and rural connectivity projects (Rs. 102 crore) address genuine developmental gaps.
However, other high-value items, such as the massive Manipur Urban Roads, Drainage and Asset Management Improvement Project (Rs. 3,647 crore) or the new Polo Ground infrastructure (Rs. 30 crore), while potentially beneficial, may feel disconnected from the immediate crisis of displacement, trauma, and economic hardship faced by thousands. The inauguration of Ima Markets and a Cultural Park, while culturally significant, may ring hollow for those who have lost homes and livelihoods.
Beyond the Foundation Stones
As security is tightened for the Prime Minister’s visit, the real question remains: Can concrete and steel alone rebuild what has been broken? The people of Manipur do not merely need bridges over rivers; they need bridges of trust between communities. They need more than market complexes; they need a functioning economy and a safe environment to return to their villages.
The allocation of Rs. 8,500 crore is a substantial monetary commitment. Yet, true healing will require a currency far more valuable and scarce: political will, empathetic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to a justice-based peace process. The foundation stones laid this weekend will be judged not by their cost, but by whether they become part of a genuine framework for reconciliation, or merely monuments to a development narrative that fails to address the heart of Manipur’s pain.