Manipur today finds itself facing a double crisis. While torrential rains have triggered devastating floods across the valley, the state is still struggling with the prolonged Kuki-Meitei conflict. Thousands have already been displaced by ethnic violence, and now, the floodwaters have swept away homes, farmlands, and infrastructure. This moment of compounded hardship demands more than just sympathy—it calls for urgent, coordinated action and a reawakening of political responsibility.
The flood is not just a seasonal challenge; it is a reflection of neglected infrastructure and administrative fatigue. Overflowing rivers, breached embankments, and inadequate drainage systems have turned large areas into waterlogged zones of despair. Relief efforts have started, but they remain scattered and insufficient. The conflict has already weakened governance in many parts of the state, and the flood has exposed how little capacity remains to respond to emergencies.
At a time when leadership on the ground is needed most, several of Manipur’s elected representatives—particularly those from the ruling BJP—seem more active in Delhi’s political circuits than in their own flood-hit constituencies. Their public performances of loyalty to the central leadership, while their people wade through waist-deep waters, offer a stark image of misplaced priorities. Political visibility cannot come at the cost of public accountability.
The ethnic conflict itself continues to paralyse the state’s constitutional machinery. What began as a law-and-order issue has now taken the shape of a prolonged stalemate, with communities living in isolation and fear. The Centre’s distant approach has allowed mistrust to grow, and governance to bifurcate along ethnic lines. If the constitutional order is to be restored, it requires immediate and credible efforts from the highest levels of the Union government.
Still, amid crisis lies opportunity. Manipur’s challenges can become the foundation for renewal—if met with sincerity and strategic planning.
First, flood response must be elevated to a national priority. Relief and rehabilitation must be fast-tracked with central support. Expert hydrological teams should assess long-term flood risks and recommend sustainable infrastructure improvements such as embankment reinforcement, river dredging, and improved urban drainage.
Second, the healing of divided communities must begin in earnest. Peacebuilding initiatives led by neutral institutions, supported by civil society and religious leaders, must be encouraged. Political leaders—at both state and national levels—must act as facilitators of justice, equity, and reconciliation.
Third, legislators must lead from the front. They must return to their constituencies—not for ceremony, but for service. The people of Manipur need representatives who walk beside them during disasters, listen to their pain, and act decisively to restore normalcy.
Manipur stands at a turning point. It can either continue to suffer from political apathy and fragmented governance, or it can rise through collective will, honest leadership, and meaningful reform. The flood may have submerged homes, but it need not drown hope. With vision and unity, Manipur can rebuild—and begin anew.