Manipur University has begun a six-day academic programme examining ethnic conflict, land, resources, governance, demographic change and peace-building in Northeast India.
Imphal, August 24: A six-day capacity-building programme examining ethnic conflict, land, resources and development in Northeast India, with particular focus on Manipur, began at Manipur University on Monday.
The programme, titled “Ethnic Conflict, Land, Resources and Development in North East India,” is being organised by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), Manipur University, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It will continue until August 29 at the Conference Hall of the Department of Anthropology.
The programme brings together academics, researchers, journalists and practitioners from different disciplines to examine issues including ethnic conflict, identity, land, demographic change, governance, displacement, border security, cultural heritage, peace-building and sustainable development.
Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh, Vice-Chancellor (In-charge) of Manipur University, attended the inaugural session as the Chief Guest. Prof. M.C. Arunkumar, Dean of the School of Human and Environmental Sciences, and Prof. Haobijam Vokendro Singh, Head of the Department of Anthropology, were the Guests of Honour. Prof. R.K. Bhubon Singh, Director of MMTTC-MU, presided over the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Hemakumar described the theme as highly relevant to the present situation in Manipur and the Northeast. Referring to the prolonged crisis in Manipur, he stressed the need to preserve the academic discussions generated through the programme for future reference.
He urged the organisers and resource persons to prepare a concise report of the deliberations and explore the possibility of preserving the proceedings in the University Library and making them accessible online.
“We are discussing today for our future,” Prof. Hemakumar said, emphasising the importance of maintaining a proper academic record of discussions concerning the ongoing crisis.
Prof. Bhubon Singh said the programme was conceived against the backdrop of continuing ethnic tensions and the complex relationship between identity, land, resources, governance and development in the Northeast.
He identified historical grievances, competing claims over land and political space, socio-economic disparities, insurgency, governance deficits and cross-border dynamics among the issues requiring sustained academic examination.
According to Prof. Bhubon, the programme developed from an earlier academic interaction on contested diversity, violence and development held on July 5. He said that while the Manipur crisis had been discussed extensively on television and other public platforms, there was a need to move beyond oral discussions and create a systematic academic record.
He maintained that addressing ethnic conflict would require approaches extending beyond security measures to include peace-building, reconciliation, equitable development, effective governance and respect for diverse community identities and experiences.
The organisers also intend to compile papers presented during the programme and publish them in book form as an academic reference for researchers and future generations.
Prof. M.C. Arunkumar spoke about the role of teachers and academic institutions under the National Education Policy 2020. He observed that teachers need to continuously update their knowledge, skills and understanding as education and society undergo rapid changes.
He said capacity-building programmes should serve as platforms for participants to exchange ideas and refresh their knowledge and skills through interaction.
Prof. Arunkumar also called for critical examination of terms such as ethnicity, ethnic conflict, indigenous people, native communities, land rights and development. He stressed the need to distinguish rigorous academic definitions and evidence-based understanding from terminology used loosely in public and political discourse.
He encouraged participants to examine questions related to land ownership, customary systems and individual rights, particularly in tribal societies, and to discuss democratic approaches to development that adequately engage local communities.
Prof. Haobijam Vokendro Singh said the programme builds on earlier academic work relating to Manipur's diversity, conflict and historical experience. He noted that resource persons from different fields had been allowed to select topics within the broader themes according to their expertise.
The programme will cover land, border security, demographic change, federalism, ethnic relations, governance, history, cultural heritage and the interconnectedness of Manipur's communities.
Prof. Vokendro also stressed the importance of documenting academic arguments in written form. Resource persons have been asked to submit manuscripts of their presentations following academic referencing standards, with the intention of producing a publication based on the proceedings.
The academic sessions began on August 24 with presentations by Dr. L. Muhindro on “Human Security and Ethnic Conflict in Manipur: The Vulnerability of Internally Displaced Persons,” Prof. Rena Laisram on “Role of History in Peace Building: Illustrations from North East India,” and Dr. Th. Bharat on “Conflict and Displacement.”
On August 25, journalist Pradip Phanjoubam is scheduled to speak on “The Causes and Consequences of Ethnic Violence in Manipur: A Way Forward.” Dr. L. Bishwanjit Singh will discuss Moreh and the future of India's Act East Policy, while Dr. G. Amarjit Sharma will examine ethnic diversity and the limits of asymmetrical power-sharing and consociational theories. Prof. Lilee will address women, youth and vulnerable groups in conflict situations.
Sessions on August 26 will examine illegal migration and demographic change, contested frontiers, land and resource governance, environmental justice, water and wetlands, and federalism and autonomy in Manipur.
The August 27 programme will focus on strategic challenges in the Northeast, the Manipur crisis, the common-origin debate concerning hill and valley ethnic communities, demographic dynamics and frameworks for conflict transformation and peace-building.
On August 28, discussions will cover the Aboriginal Tribes of Manipur, India-Myanmar relations and Northeast India, and the role of museums in promoting community identity and cultural heritage. An MCQ component will also be held.
The concluding day, August 29, will feature presentations on borderland security and governance, challenges to peace-building in Manipur, and armed conflict, small arms and narcotic trafficking. Binalakshmi Nepram will speak on indigenous pathways to peacemaking. The programme will conclude with a valedictory session.
The organisers said the programme seeks to bring together perspectives from anthropology, history, demography, international relations, security studies, environmental studies, governance, cultural studies, journalism and peace-building.
They also propose to document the papers and discussions and publish them as a reference for future research and informed debate on conflict, reconciliation and sustainable development in Manipur and the wider Northeast.
