Seminar : Roots Of Conflict Resolution In Manipur :: A report
- Part 1 -

H. Sukhdeba / Homen Thangjam / Aheibam Koireng *

'Book release of Self Determination Movement in Manipur' on April 8– 9, 2015

Two day National Seminar
ROOTS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN MANIPUR: CLAIMS AND COUNTER CLAIMS
Organised by
Department of Social Work,
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU),
Regional Campus, Manipur
Date: April 8– 9, 2015 : Venue: AMITY Hall,
IGNTU Regional Campus, Manipur

PROCCEDINGS OF THE SEMINAR

Day 1, April 8, 2015: Inaugural Function

The Inaugural Function of the Two day National Seminar on ROOTS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN MANIPUR: CLAIMS AND COUNTER CLAIMS was held at the Amity Hall, IGNTU-RCM on April 8, 2015. Prof. E. Bijoykumar, Dean, School of Social Science, Manipur University, Dr. RK Nimai Singh, Consultant, Government of Manipur and Sunita L. Varte, Director, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Regional Campus, Manipur graced the function as Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and President, respectively. The seminar was Organised by the Department of Social Work, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Regional Campus, Manipur and sponsored by the ICSSR, New Delhi.

Dr. Kamei Beeju, Co-Coordinator of the Seminar, delivered the Welcome Address. While welcoming the dignitaries she observed that conflict is an ever-present process in human relation and affects everybody in one way or the other. Even after more than 68 years of armed conflict, the government and the armed opposition groups are moving parallel directions in terms of defining the situation or identifying the root cause.

The government has not accepted the opposition of the armed opposition groups. Similarly, in spite of engaging with international cooperation like Myanmar Bangladesh and Bhutan to suppress the armed movement in the state, the government continues to claim that it is a law and order problem and most recently, terrorism .There has been no meeting point for the conflict situation of Manipur. Mere appeals for peace talks without any strategy from time to time along with military engagement cannot bring about any tangible solution or in addressing the problem. This is simply a process of managing the conflict but managing the conflict has the danger of not resolving it. It only creates multiply the problem which we are witnessing today.

So this is a challenge to all the participants in this seminar that one needs to minimise the impacts by contributing to the dialogue toward conflict resolution. We acknowledged the various activities in relation to the seminar by various actors and our seminar intended to larger Body is one step to contribute to the larger knowledge of conflicts resolution.

Dr. RK Nimai Singh, Guest of Honour of the Function shared that the theme of the seminar is an important one but academicians have refrained to discuss so far. It is important that this is systematically and academically discussed so that a solution can be found. So far what the world has witnessed so far is the majoritarian view. Manipur has diverse armed opposition groups so it is difficult to bring them on the negotiation table. If we look into the history of Manipur we have accepted migrants from various parts of the world, it was only in the process of building nationhood, the Meiteis allowed the migrants to be part of the Meitei society. In the 11th century Loyumba Shinglen was adopted laying the rules of running the state and it attempted to include migrants so that Manipur has a larger number of people.

Conflicts in human society have brought about innovation and changes, albeit with collateral damage. This aspect needs to be addressed. But Manipur presents a different aspect as there has been a process of communalisation of the armed movement. Manipur has also witnessed a different trajectory of history starting with the losing of Kabaw Valley. But there is a view that Kabaw Valley was already with the Burmese, which needs re-examination. Manipur is the most militarised society in the world. There is one security for every five individuals. The operation of the armed groups has also had a detrimental effect on the common man's life. AFSPA has been misused to a large extent. Countries such as the United States have evolved a different way of using repressive laws.

There is no single solution to the problem armed conflict in Manipur. Even the Yugoslavian model cannot be applied here; we have to find our own model. He believes the seminar will delve into various possible alternatives of bringing solution. A recommendation of the seminar can be the starting point. Differences have to be bridged, and it has to be acknowledged further that use of force is simply a temporary measure.

Prof E. Bijoykumar Singh, Chief Guest of the Inaugural Function shared that conflict is the sign of life. It represents the articulation of different sections of the society. As needs keeps rising, problems also do get transformed but there is no definite solution to all the problems. In this part of the globe, complex problems have marred. Solution to these issues, some hold that the issues are non-negotiable. On the other hand policy makers have given more importance to management of the issue rather than finding a solution akin to fire fighting.

Quality of debate has been improving. He strongly hopes that there is convergence of views in the near future so that the issues can be solved. It has been stated over time and again that problems pertinent to the region has been equated with unemployment. But Employment Exchange states that unemployment is not a problem in Manipur; it is basic. Tripura has the highest unemployment in the region but it is also the best governed state. Development statistics of Tripura is a case in point. So conflict in Manipur certainly lies in other sphere.

Construction sector, the largest sector in Manipur, needs disciplined work force, thus we need labourers from outside, the migrants. Dynamics of development and change are interrelated, and certain issue has to be looked from different perspective. For example, tea industry in Assam has flourished on account of migrant workers. Conflict in Manipur is a consequence of development process. What happened in the past cannot be changed but we have to look forward.

Seminar : Roots Of Conflict Resolution In Manipur at IGNTU Regional Campus, Manipur on April 8– 9, 2015

Look East Policy has generated lots of debates. Benefit of LEP should not be confined to goods and services but one has to register that it will also help build self-confidence. Horizon of our imagination has to be widened; LEP will certainly do that. We should have positive attitude towards emerging opportunities.

He concluded by sharing that the two days seminar will throw up solutions that can be beneficial not only to Manipur but also the Northeast region as a whole.

Sunita L. Varte, Director who presided the Inaugural Function asserted that conflict arises out of differences. She believes that whatever be the magnitude of the conflict it should not be left unattended. The seminar is important keeping in mind the decades of armed conflict in Manipur which has affected everyone for a very long time. She believes that the seminar will come out with recommendations which can inform the policy makers and the Government in forging a solution to the prevailing conflict in the state.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. H. Shukhdeba Sharma, Coordinator of the seminar.

The Inaugural Function was followed by Two Technical Sessions.

Session I, April 8, 2015: Roots of Conflict Resolution

Prof. Lokendra Arambam, Senior Citizen, Chaired the First Session of the Seminar titled "Roots of Conflict Resolution". Four distinguished Resource Persons presented papers in the session.

Shri Okram Joy Singh, Former Minister of Manipur speaking as a Resource Person in the session asserted that the root cause of conflict in Manipur is the creation of the Indian State. According to him, after the forced merger, Manipur was made a Part C state, which was totally dependent on New Delhi. Further, Manipuri language which was a Court language of the Kingdom of Manipur was not included in the 8 schedule of the Indian Constitution for a long time and money sanctioned for development of Manipur upto the 7th Plan was 213 crores only.

He further emphasized that negligence hurt the sentiments of the people of Manipur this forced the people to take up arms. For example by 1963, Manipur could not get/buy rice. Starved women/girls attended colleges. It must be remembered that as a sovereign kingdom, Manipur was self-sufficient. It was an experience worse than British colonialism.

Regarding the perception of the armed youth as a Minister, he quoted the former Chief Minister of Manipur, Md. Alimuddin. Contrary to others who termed the armed youths as the unemployed misguided youths, the late Chief Minister termed them as the most progressive section of the Manipuri society. He admitted that as a Minister, this was the perception he, too, had. Speaking on how to bring about solution, he shared that infrastructure for bringing about the solution has to be created.

Prof. Ksh Bimola Devi, Manipur University speaking as Resource Person in the same session observed that the armed-opposition groups in Manipur are demanding sovereignty. To bring about conflict resolution in Manipur three parties such as the Central and the Governments and the armed groups. In the federal scheme of India, very often New Delhi takes the upper hand. The Central Government refuses to recognize the prevailing conflict situation but terms it as a law and order problem.

Failure to give recognition underscores the fact that the United Nations also will not recognize the problem in Manipur as India is a member of UNO. So even if the armed opposition groups continuously files petition to the UN no tangible solution will emerge. Therefore, third party involvement in the form of CSOs and NGOs are needed. At the same time, the issue of conflict resolution should also be deliberated in the State Assembly.

Brozendra Ningombam, Editor-in-Chief, ISTV News speaking as a Resource Person shared that the Kings of Manipur in the past expanded their territories in all the directions. According to him, if the same territory had been kept intact, perhaps Manipur would be witnessing an altogether different historical trajectory. Even after 60 years of Manipur's forced merger to India, Manipur has not received appropriate respect from India; this one of the grievances that Manipur nurses. But the utmost root cause of conflict in Manipur is the Forced Merger of Manipur to the Indian Union.

Maharaja Bodhchandra was not accorded the respect he deserved as a King. Further, statehood was granted in 1972 on account of people's ceaseless movement; the same applies to inclusion of Manipur in the 8th Schedule. The fate of ILP is still uncertain. To suppress the armed movement by using Armed Forces Special Power Act, the Indian State has not been able to deter the armed opposition groups. Thus, to bring about a solution, the people of Manipur if they genuinely want a solution, then they must write and engage the Central Government.

To be continued...