Are we really amused with the new water park in town?

Manipur’s Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, inaugurated the first water amusement park of the state at Thenguchingjin Awang Potsangbam in Imphal East district. He also has revealed that more parks would be established in other seven districts. Addressing the audience, CM Biren highlighted the trend of affluent families seeking entertainment outside the state due to the dearth of local infrastructure which has consequently drained the state’s economy. He emphasized that these water amusement parks would not only bolster the economy but also offer recreational opportunities for all residents. These attempts from the government are aimed at bolstering the state’s dying tourism economy due to the ongoing crisis. It is true that with the ethnic conflict state’s tourism industry has heavily suffered as many who were willing to come to Manipur are afraid given the scale of the violence. The situation is still not stable and we never know when sporadic violence in the peripheries will erupt. Given these issues, who will want to come to Manipur and spend their money?
Regarding the improvement of the local economy with such amusement parks, it is a welcomed step. However, given the timing the question comes: Are we really amused with the recently inaugurated amusement park? It is true that people in Manipur in general have suffered losses of their loved one, many have lost their livelihood and many are suffering from trauma. Many might need recreation given that they are completely exhausted mentally but setting up amusement park for recreation could not be the answer for the failure of the state in saving the economy of Manipur.
One can argue that recruitments are taking place, results of long pending recruitment examinations and interviews are announced, new developmental schemes are inaugurated, crores and crores of rupees are now being promised. And by doing these things, the state and the central government have save the state from economic crisis. However, many suspect these initiatives are taken keeping in mind the upcoming Lok Sabha election to garner good will and resources for fighting the election effectively. Most importantly, the discussions surrounding the election do not seem to include any feasible plan or roadmap or way forward to deal with the ongoing violent ethnic conflict. Moreover, nothing has been said on the crisis in Manipur by the Prime Minister.
We know that the population in valley is now trapped here; they cannot venture outside the valley. Given this, these amusement parks, jobs and money thrown to us can keep us sane for some period but can this bring us freedom of movement in our own state. Lastly, regarding the draining of state’s economy as well to do families and individuals are moving out of the state for recreation and entertainment due the lack of infrastructure, it should be also noted that for people to spend their money and to run business smoothly we also need a state which protects the lives and livelihood of the people. In this regard, the state has spectacularly failed and this failure is now world famous so more and more business will close, economy will suffer more and no amusement park can improve unless the government does it job.