3rd Dr. Thingnam Kishan Memorial Lecture on 1st July 2012

Imphal, 05 July 2012

3rd Dr Thingnam Kishan Memorial Lecture at Multipurpose Hall, Youth Hostel, Khuman Lampak, Imphal on 1st July 2012
Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam

The third Dr. Thingnam Kishan Memorial Lecture, organised by Dr. Thingnam Kishan Foundation (DTKF) was held on 1st July, 2012 at Multipurpose Hall, Youth Hostel, Khuman Lampak, Imphal. Professor Lokendro Arambam, former Director, AVRC, Manipur University, Canchipur, moderated the Lecture.

The third memorial lecture was delivered by Dr. H. Sudhir Singh, Department of History, Manipur University on the theme "Conflict Vulnerabilities And Policy Agenda in the Northeast". Dr. Sanatomba Kangujam and Arfina Haokip, a doctoral scholar at the department of History were discussants of the lecture.

Giving introductory speech of the lecture, K. Indrakumar, Coordinator of the Memorial Lecture, underscores the need for organising such lecture in order to generate meaningful and productive dialogue/discourses on the various issues that lay siege the region.

In addition to commemoration of the work, ideas and dream of late Dr. Thingnam Kishan the lecture programme is organised so as to create effective avenues for lively academic debates. Indrakumar also emphasizes the need for unlocking multiple problems and realities that surrounds the Northeast, which critically affects our existential reality.

In his introductory speech, he lays threadbare the various problems that lay siege the region. The multiple realities and problems have put the NE region into a complex situation. The countervailing parallel forces that emerge simultaneously in the region such as existing armed conflict, ethno-exclusivist politics, and birth of globalization in the region have only compounded our Northeast.

These are the forces that have emerged more or less simultaneously as countervailing forces in the political and cultural landscape of the region which need to be dissected critically with much insight. In short our problems call for active intellectual and academic intervention.

Dr. H. Sudhir while delivering his speech highlighted the various forms of tortures and problems which are economic, social and psychological in nature. In the midst of the ongoing conflict between state and non-state forces, it is the women and children, who constitute the vulnerable sections of the society. In spite of the differences in the use of the nomenclature, the universe of the women and children received the brunt of the conflict.

He noted that Central government's view of the existing problem purely as internal law and order problem and has defied possibility of resolution of the conflict on mutually acceptable ground. The longer the conflict, the longer will be the suffering of women and children. Lecture also underscores the need for intensive study from the vantage point of women and children in the conflict. After tracing the historical evolution of the various international conventions relating to the rights of children and women, he argues that India's lopsided attitude and commitment to such conventions only worsen the condition of women and children under conflict situation.

Discussant Dr. Sanatomba Kangujam, while giving his observation on the paper rejected the notion of existing problem as law and order problem on various grounds. Kangujam argues that present problem is political conflict that has to be resolve politically.

3rd Dr Thingnam Kishan Memorial Lecture at Multipurpose Hall, Youth Hostel, Khuman Lampak, Imphal on 1st July 2012
Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam

On the issue of suffering of women and children, he rises the point that it not only the women and children but also larger section of the society who were also suffering the same kind of tortures and various forms of exploitation and human rights violation. These are the offshoots of existing political conflict, once the conflict is resolved such problems will subsided gradually.

Professor Lokendro Arambam, while giving observation as moderator highlighted the need for keeping alive Dr. Thingnam Kishan's dream for a society free from exploitation, subjugation and inequality. He also emphasized the vigorous intervention from the youngsters towards existing political conflict in Manipur and Northeast India.

While speaking, Professor also highlighted the increasing authoritarian character of the Indian State and its embedded militaristic nature right from its birth and the likely consequences on the rights and liberty of the citizen. Finally he also gave a narrative account of the women resistance against the brutalities of the State by using body as was evident from 2004 July Manorama's incident.

Mention may be made that SDO Kasom Khullen Dr. Thingnam Kishan was murdered by NSCN (IM) cadres along with two of his subordinate staffs Aribam Rajen and Yumnam Token. They were abducted from Ukhrul while on duty. Three other accompanies belonging to tribal communities were released by NSCN (IM) after they were abducted along with Dr Kishan. The brutal murdered was a shock to the whole State and both hills and valley people protested against the inhuman nature of NSCN (IM).

Hopson Ningshen Prime accused is being arrested and is under trial at Tihar Jail. CBI is investigating further for other prime accused and a high court proceeding is underway so far.

The 3rd memorial lecture was attended by family members, students, scholars, advocate, govt officails, social activist and academicians.

See a full photo gallery here.

Press Release from
DTKF (Dr Thingnam Kishan Foundation)