Manipur University has released a special issue of South Asian Anthropologist featuring evidence-based research on conflict, displacement, media narratives, drug trafficking and the humanitarian impact of the ongoing crisis.
Imphal, August 7: The Department of Anthropology at Manipur University on Friday released a special issue of the academic journal South Asian Anthropologist (SAAN) titled "Unsettling Manipur: Conflict, Displacement and Despair", bringing together evidence-based research that examines multiple dimensions of the state's ongoing crisis.
The special issue was unveiled during a function held at the department's conference hall in the presence of Vice Chancellor (In-Charge) Prof. R.K. Hemakumar Singh, Dean of the School of Human & Environmental Sciences Prof. M.C. Arunkumar, Chairman of the Research and Development Cell Prof. S. Jibonkumar Singh, Head of the Department of Anthropology Prof. Haobijam Vokendro Singh, faculty members, research scholars and students.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Hemakumar Singh said universities have a responsibility to produce objective academic research that helps society better understand complex issues. He commended the Department of Anthropology for publishing a volume dedicated to Manipur's continuing unrest and expressed hope that the research would contribute to informed academic discussions both within and beyond the state.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Haobijam Vokendro Singh said the special issue was conceived to shift discussions on Manipur away from speculation and misinformation towards evidence-based academic inquiry.
"In an age dominated by social media narratives and AI-generated content, this volume represents a rigorous academic effort based on empirical findings rather than fiction or speculation," he said.
Describing the publication as a "lighthouse" for credible scholarship, he said the volume seeks to distinguish verified knowledge from unsubstantiated narratives through carefully curated research.
According to Prof. Vokendro Singh, the journal features studies covering media narratives surrounding the ethnic conflict, the demographic profile of drug peddlers in Manipur based on a retrospective analysis of cases from 2015 to 2024, and the psychological and physiological health conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
One study examines how selective presentation of events by sections of the media may shape public perception during periods of conflict. Another analyses a decade of drug-related arrest data to identify demographic patterns through empirical evidence. The volume also includes research comparing stress levels and health indicators among internally displaced persons and non-displaced populations, with findings that may support psychologists and healthcare professionals in designing appropriate interventions.
Speaking as Guest of Honour, Prof. M.C. Arunkumar described the publication as one of the first organised academic efforts to examine the ongoing situation in Manipur through scientific and evidence-based perspectives rather than competing narratives. He said the collection has the potential to encourage interdisciplinary research into the causes, impacts and long-term consequences of the crisis.
Chairman of the Research and Development Cell, Prof. S. Jibonkumar Singh, noted that South Asian Anthropologist, first published in 1980, is among India's oldest anthropology journals. He said universities should not only preserve knowledge but also generate research that addresses pressing societal challenges with academic integrity, scientific rigour and a commitment to truth.
The speakers observed that the prolonged crisis has had significant social, educational, economic and psychological consequences across Manipur. They expressed hope that the special issue would contribute to informed public discourse while encouraging further evidence-based research on the state's contemporary challenges.
