The fractured infrastructure of Manipur

The Chairperson of the Manipur Human Rights Commission’s recent experience highlights a significant, yet often overlooked, aspect of human rights: the right to infrastructure. His aborted trip to Tamenglong due to hazardous road conditions and an ongoing landslide isn’t just an isolated inconvenience. It underscores the broader issue of infrastructural neglect that has long plagued Manipur, adversely affecting its people’s lives and rights.
Manipur’s road network, particularly in the hilly and remote areas like Tamenglong, has long been a cause for concern. Despite numerous promises and allocations by successive governments, the situation on the ground remains dire. Roads are more often than not potholed, narrow, and prone to landslides, especially during the monsoon season. For the people living in these areas, this isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a daily struggle that hampers access to essential services like healthcare, education, and markets. In essence, it is a violation of their basic human rights.
The irony of the situation is stark. The very individual tasked with upholding and protecting the human rights of the people of Manipur finds himself a victim of the same systemic failures. The Chairperson’s inability to complete his journey due to the perilous conditions of the roads should serve as a wake-up call to the authorities. It reveals that the issues plaguing Manipur’s infrastructure are not merely problems for the poor and marginalized but are a reflection of a systemic failure that can affect anyone, regardless of their position or power.
Human rights are often discussed in the context of political freedom, freedom of speech, or protection from violence. However, the right to access safe and reliable infrastructure is equally important. Good roads are not just about convenience—they are about access to life-saving healthcare, economic opportunities, and social inclusion. Poor infrastructure isolates communities, traps them in cycles of poverty, and deprives them of opportunities to improve their quality of life. When roads are impassable, it becomes nearly impossible for ambulances to reach those in need, for children to attend school regularly, or for farmers to transport their produce to markets. This, in turn, exacerbates economic disparities and social inequalities.
The failure to ensure good roads in Manipur, particularly in its remote districts, is a failure to respect the human rights of its citizens. It reflects a broader neglect that has persisted for decades, where the development of infrastructure in Northeast India has often been sidelined in national policy discussions. This neglect is a form of structural violence, where the state’s inaction or inability to provide basic infrastructure contributes to the continued suffering and marginalization of its people.
The state government, along with the central authorities, must recognize that building and maintaining proper infrastructure is not just a development goal but a fundamental human rights obligation. Investment in infrastructure should be prioritized, with a focus on ensuring that all parts of the state, especially the remote and hilly regions, are connected by safe and reliable roads. The recent experience of the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission should not just be seen as a personal inconvenience but as a stark reminder of the state of affairs that millions of Manipuris endure daily.
In conclusion, the incident serves as a potent symbol of the infrastructural neglect that pervades Manipur. It is a call to action for the government to address this long-standing issue with the urgency it deserves. Good roads are not a luxury—they are a right, and ensuring this right is a crucial step towards the realization of true human rights for all citizens of Manipur.