Manipur economy set back by a decade; no roads, investments in hill districts, says NPF MLA

Manipur economy set back by a decade; no roads, investments in hill districts, notes NPF MLA Poor connectivity and repeated blockades of key highways have crippled development projects and worsened the hardships faced by ordinary residents, Ram Muivah of the Naga People's.

Key points

• Tyres and construction materials set on fire by miscreants in Imphal East district in Manipur in June 2023.
• The NPF is an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration in Manipur.
• The MLA spoke of a power-sharing agreement in Manipur between the three communities – Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and the Nagas.
• While other northeastern States, including Sikkim, have attracted private investment and industrial projects, Manipur continued to struggle with perceptions of instability, and poor law and order.
• Nagas and Kukis have Scheduled Tribes status in Manipur.

Tyres and construction materials set on fire by miscreants in Imphal East district in Manipur in June 2023. Photo Credit: PTI.

In practice, the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur has pushed the State's economy back by at least a decade, disrupted critical road infrastructure, and stalled development throughout the hill districts, a Naga People's Front (NPF) MLA from Ukhrul stated.

While speaking regarding the economic fallout of the ethnic unrest that began in 2023, stated that poor connectivity and repeated blockades on key highways had crippled development projects and worsened the hardships faced by ordinary individuals, in an interview with The Hindu, Ram Muivah, a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.

Notably, the NPF is an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration in Manipur.

In practice, the MLA spoke of a power-sharing agreement in Manipur between the three communities – Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and the Nagas. "Today, in the hill districts, there is not a single Central institute. Everything is in the valley. I am not against any community, but unless there is some power sharing and a spirit of accommodation, that unhappiness is bound to happen. Manipur tribes are the only tribes in the entire northeast without Sixth Schedule protection. They want some meaningful autonomy. There is no spirit of accommodation on the part of the majority community, " Mr. Muivah remarked.

He was unable to articulate the tribal view as he was halted from speaking on the matters, Mr. Muivah remarked. When asked who halted him, the MLA stated: "The Chief Minister, both the present (Yumnam Khemchand Singh) and the previous one (N. Biren Singh). We are informed to raise the matters in private and not in the Assembly."

"All the people are suffering, " he remarked, referring to highway blockades imposed by different groups during the conflict. "Development works have halted as construction materials cannot be transported. Water supply projects have halted as pipes cannot be moved, " Mr. Muivah remarked.

Meanwhile, the MLA described the practice of blocking national highways as "illegal" and "counterproductive", arguing that it harmed all communities, regardless of ethnicity. National Highway 2, which links Imphal with Nagaland, and other crucial routes via the hill districts, has been repeatedly affected by disruptions since the outbreak of violence.

That situation is particularly severe in Ukhrul and other hill districts, Mr. Muivah remarked, where road connectivity has deteriorated sharply over the past few years. The MLA asserted much of the road infrastructure in his district was in poor condition, and that no investment had been produced on repairs and upgrades since the conflict began.

"There is not a single kilometre of smooth road in the entire district, " he remarked, adding that damaged roads had become a major obstacle to economic activity and service delivery.

While major projects that were needed to revive the State's economy remained stalled, Mr, development spending had been largely limited to routine expenditure, including salaries. Muivah remarked.

"How will investors come when there is violence?" he remarked, arguing that the State could not rely solely on administration employment for economic expansion.

For context, the absence of peace and recurring security reservations have prevented Manipur from emerging as an investment destination despite its strategic location and resource potential, according to Mr. Muivah.

Mr. Muivah agreed extortion was rampant in the State. "All that is part of life in Manipur and Nagaland. It has been going on for years and years, you know? In practice, the law and order is not good in Manipur. We should be inviting private investors, without which the State cannot develop. Since, the administration, how plenty of jobs can be created? It has reached a saturation point, " he remarked.

Although there was still uncertainty on when such assistance might materialise, the State administration had sought a special economic package from the Centre to assist rebuild Manipur's economy after years of disruption, he noted.

"The biggest priority is peace, " Mr. Muivah remarked. "Without peace, there can be no development, no investment, and no future economic growth."

Taken together, the developments around manipur economy set back by a decade; no roads, investments in hill point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.