Role of media in conflict resolution dissected
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 01 2012:
Along with a panel discussion on 'Conflict, Media and Civil Societies', the 8th Memorial Observation of NK Sanajaoba was held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound here today.
Late NK Sanajaoba was attributed as a revolutionary, journalist, social activist who tireless worked for unity among both the hills and the valley people of the State duringhis lifetime.
The event was organized by NK Sanajaoba Memorial Observation Committee.
Participating in the discussion session moderated by President of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) A Mobi, Director of Chandel and Peace Building Action RK Bobichand observed that NK Sanajaoba was a true revolutionary who spoke out against the misdeeds of public leaders of his time so as to bring about a complete change in the administrative set up of the state.
Bobichand said that conflict between any two communities arise when there is clash of ideologies.
So, in order to avoid such conflicts, every community should try to understand the ideologies of other communities.
We need to live together and love one another to bring a lasting peace in the state, free from all conflicts.
Unfortunately, conflict has become a part and parcel of the lives of the people in Manipur ever since the state was forcibly placed under the India dominion, he contended.
He added that peace is not only absence of violence, but durable peace could become a reality only when the needs of all the groups or communities are satisfied.
The Naga-India peace talk should not hurt the relationship amongst different communities of the state.
Another penalist, AK Sanaton, senior journalist, said that India is facing a critical dilemma in making amendment to the Constitution with regard to the Naga-India talk as it also seeks to pacify the people of the state of Manipur and its sentiment at the same time.
Speaking on the role of the media, he stressed the need for self restrain and reasonable restriction on the part of the journalists, if it is likely to create disharmony as a backlash.
He also pointed out the need of the time to upgrade the standard of news coverage on the part of the media and also the need for organizations to connect with the people.
Earlier, delivering the key-note address, Arambam Lokendra described Sanajaoba as a pioneer who went to every nook and corner of the state, endeavouring for oneness of all the people and communities alike.
He also accredited Sanajaoba as a person who introduced investigative journalism in the state by pointing out the ills plaguing the people of his time.
Furthermore, Lokendra pointed out the necessity of speculation of the Naga-India talk, since the negotiation is kept in secrecy.
Even if the talk does not touch on the territorial integrity of the state, relationship between different communities as an outcome of the peace talk should be taken into account, he added.
In his observation on the discussion, Mobi noted that media houses in both the hills and the valley lack in-depth reporting, thus creating gap in the relations between the hills and the valley people.
He also stressed on the need for investigative journalism and expressed desire to see more of such reportings.
The memorial observance function was presided over by Sh Shamu, Vice President of NK Sanajaoba Memorial Observation Committee.
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