For the thousands in relief camps, the new infrastructure announcements rang hollow against the unmet need for a political solution, justice, and a secure return home. Thus, despite its spectacle, the Prime Minister’s visit left Manipur’s most critical questions unanswered.
TFM Analysis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Manipur in over two years, since ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, was heavily centered on a massive infrastructure blitz, with projects worth over Rs. 8,500 crore launched. However, this display of developmentalism was starkly contrasted by a conspicuous silence on the political and humanitarian crisis, as the Prime Minister avoided any direct mention of the conflict between the ethnic communities or a roadmap for peace.
A Surge in Development: Roads, Rails, and IT
The core of the Prime Minister’s addresses in both Imphal and Churachandpur was a detailed listing of infrastructure projects aimed at overcoming the state’s historical connectivity challenges and boosting its economic potential.
In Churachandpur, Modi laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs. 7,300 crore. These included:
* Manipur Urban Roads, Drainage, and Asset Management Improvement Projects: Worth over Rs. 3,600 crore to revamp urban infrastructure.
* Five National Highway Projects: Collectively valued at over Rs. 2,500 crore to enhance road connectivity.
* The Manipur Infotech Development (MIND) project and Working Women’s Hostels at nine locations.
The PM highlighted a multi-level approach to connectivity, stating that the budget for rail and road infrastructure had been “increased manifold” since 2014. He underscored that Rs. 3,700 crore had already been spent on National Highways in the region, with new projects worth Rs. 8,700 crore progressing rapidly. A flagship project is the Rs 22,000 crore Jiribam–Imphal railway line, which promises to connect the state capital to the national rail network. He also cited the new Rs. 400 crore Imphal Airport and new helicopter services as evidence of improved air connectivity.
In Imphal, he inaugurated projects worth over Rs. 1,200 crore, focusing on governance and technology:
* A new Civil Secretariat building at Mantripukhri.
* The first building of the IT Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
* A new State Police Headquarters.
* Manipur Bhavans in Delhi and Kolkata to provide affordable accommodation for citizens.
* Four new Ima Markets (all-women markets) across districts.
Modi envisioned Imphal as a future-developed city and a hub for startups and tech-based industries, powered by the new IT SEZ.
Welfare Schemes and Social Infrastructure
Beyond hard infrastructure, the Prime Minister extensively listed central government welfare schemes, claiming significant gains for Manipur:
* Housing: Nearly 60,000 pucca houses built for the poor under a nationwide scheme.
* Electricity: Over one lakh families received free electricity connections, alleviating past shortages.
* Water: Tap water connections increased from 25,000-30,000 households 7-8 years ago to over 3.5 lakh today under the ‘Har Ghar Nal Se Jal’ scheme.
* Healthcare: Emphasis was placed on the new medical college in Churachandpur and modern health services in five hill districts under the PM-DIVINE scheme. He noted that nearly 2.5 lakh patients in Manipur had availed of free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, saving poor families an estimated ₹350 crore.
* Tribal Development: The implementation of the ‘Dharati Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan’ in over 500 villages and the construction of 18 Eklavya Model Residential Schools were highlighted.
The Glaring Omissions: Peace, Communities, and Politics
Despite this detailed development narrative, the Prime Minister’s speeches were marked by their omissions. There was no direct reference to the Meitei, Kuki-Zo or even Naga communities, no concrete plan for the return of over 60,000 Internally Displaced Persons to their original homes, and no mention of the fact that the state has been under President’s Rule for over a year, with no elected government reinstalled.
He spoke in broad terms about a “new dawn of hope and trust,” meeting affected individuals in camps, and the importance of dialogue. However, he fell short of addressing the specific ethnic divide or outlining a political process for reconciliation.
A Staged and State-Managed Show
The event in Imphal, in particular, raised eyebrows for its orchestrated nature. Multiple reports from local sources indicated that state government employees across departments received strict instructions to ensure a full turnout at the Prime Minister’s rally. Attendance was reportedly marked as mandatory, with officials directed to be present “without fail,” creating a visible show of support that belied the tense ground reality. “Everything is stage-managed except for the weather,” remarked one attendee who was not happy with the fact that the Prime Minister did not say anything on the ongoing conflict.
Nepal Mentioned, Manipur’s Woes Ignored
Adding to the irony, the Prime Minister, while speaking from the soil of Manipur, found time to comment on the political developments in Nepal. He extended heartfelt congratulations to Sushila Karki on becoming Nepal’s first woman interim Prime Minister. This external focus stood in sharp contrast to the deliberate silence on the internal political deadlock in Manipur itself.
Analysis: Development as a Substitute for Political Solutions?
The visit can be viewed as a tightly controlled effort to project normalcy and forward momentum through a purely economic lens. “The massive infrastructure push is being used as the primary narrative to sidestep the more complex and contentious political resolution required,” said a political commentator. “By flooding the zone with development talk and avoiding any mention of the communities or a political roadmap, the central government is attempting to change the subject from accountability and peacebuilding to bricks and mortar.”
For the thousands living in relief camps, the grand announcements of new infrastructure rang hollow. The pressing need for a political solution, justice, and a safe return home remains unaddressed, leaving a gaping chasm between the government’s narrative of development and the people’s yearning for peace and normalcy. The Prime Minister’s visit, while high on spectacle and promise, appears to have left the most critical questions facing Manipur unanswered.