Silence over blocked Highways exposes failure of governance

Deeply disturbing scenes continue to unfold across Manipur as hundreds of goods-laden trucks remain stranded along both NH-2 (Imphal–Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal–Jiribam), while drivers endure uncertainty, fear, and hardship. The prolonged blockade of the state’s two lifeline highways is no longer merely a transportation crisis — it has become a direct reflection of administrative paralysis and the alarming erosion of state authority.
For years, the people of Manipur have repeatedly witnessed the same cycle of highway blockades, economic disruption, shortages of essential commodities, and public suffering. Yet despite these recurring crises, both the Union Home Ministry and the State Government have maintained a disturbing silence. At a time when medicines, fuel, food supplies, and normal public life are being severely affected, the absence of decisive intervention exposes a dangerous failure of political responsibility and administrative accountability.
Even more alarming is the apparent inability of the security forces to ensure safe passage for stranded trucks. If hundreds of vehicles carrying essential supplies cannot move despite the massive deployment of security personnel across the state, serious questions must be asked. What is the purpose of such extensive security arrangements if the highways themselves remain vulnerable? Are the forces deployed merely to remain silent spectators while public hardship deepens day by day?
The role of the Security Advisor has also come under increasing public scrutiny. Is the advisor unaware of the suffering faced by truck drivers and ordinary citizens? Or has the administration become so detached from ground realities that the pain of the people no longer demands urgent attention? The ongoing situation reflects not only administrative weakness but also a disturbing disconnect between governance and public responsibility.
Legally, the obstruction of National Highways is a punishable offence under Section 8-B of the National Highways Act, 1956. The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly ruled that indefinite blockades and bandhs that paralyse public movement and disrupt daily life are unlawful. Yet in Manipur, such illegal disruptions continue repeatedly with little visible enforcement of the law. This selective failure to uphold the rule of law sends a deeply damaging message that constitutional authority itself is weakening.
The present crisis strongly highlights the urgent need for a dedicated Highway Protection Force in Manipur. Without a permanent and effective mechanism to secure these vital supply routes, the people will continue to suffer recurring economic hardship and humanitarian distress. The existence of numerous security camps along both highways only deepens public anger, as people continue to question why such disruptions remain unchecked despite the heavy security presence.
The situation becomes even more dangerous during the rainy season, when landslides frequently obstruct both highways and further isolate the state. At the same time, various protest groups continue to use these highways as pressure points to advance their demands, effectively turning Manipur’s lifeline routes into political weapons. Under such circumstances, the continued absence of a long-term highway security policy reflects a serious failure of strategic governance.
Equally disappointing is the silence of political leaders. The government led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh includes leaders representing different communities, yet the public continues to witness uncertainty instead of coordinated action. In a democratic system, leadership is tested during moments of crisis, not during periods of stability. At a time when Manipur’s lifeline highways remain crippled, silence from those in power appears less like caution and more like political helplessness.
If a government cannot guarantee free movement along National Highways despite possessing constitutional authority, administrative machinery, and security infrastructure, public confidence in governance will inevitably decline. The people no longer expect symbolic statements, routine reviews, or empty assurances. They expect decisive action, strict enforcement of the law, and protection of their fundamental rights to movement, livelihood, and security.
Political thinker Francis Fukuyama once argued that stable societies depend upon three essential pillars: an effective state, the rule of law, and accountability to citizens. When these pillars weaken, political legitimacy itself begins to erode. The continuing highway crisis in Manipur is no longer merely a logistical or administrative issue — it is becoming a serious test of the credibility, capacity, and legitimacy of the state itself.