MU releases journal on conflict, displacement and evidence-based research
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 07 2026: The Department of Anthropology, Manipur University, released a special issue of the South Asian Anthropologist (SAAN) titled "Unsettling Manipur: Conflict, Displacement and Despair", presenting a collection of evidence-based academic studies examining different dimensions of Manipur's ongoing crisis.

According to a press note issued by the Public Relation Officer of MU, the journal was released during a function held at the Conference Hall of the Department of Anthropology in the presence of Vice Chancellor (In-Charge) Prof RK.

Hemakumar Singh; Dean of the School of Human & Environmental Sciences Prof MC 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 said universities have a responsibility to produce objective academic research capable of helping society understand complex issues.

He appreciated the Department of Anthropology for publishing a volume devoted to Manipur's continuing unrest and expressed hope that the research would contribute to informed academic discussions beyond the State.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof Vokendro said the special issue was conceived to move discussions on Manipur from speculation and misinformation to 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.

He described the publication as a "lighthouse" that seeks to distinguish credible knowledge from unverified narratives through carefully curated research.

According to Prof Vokendro, the volume includes studies on media narratives surrounding the ethnic conflict, the demographic profile of drug peddlers in Manipur based on a retrospective analysis covering 2015-2024, and the psychological and physiological health conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) .

He said one paper examines how selective presentation of events by sections of the media can influence public perception, while another analyses ten years of data on drug-related arrests to understand demographic patterns through empirical evidence.

Another study compares stress levels and health indicators between IDPs and non-IDPs and offers findings that could assist psychologists and healthcare professionals in planning appropriate interventions.

Prof Arunkumar said the publication represents one of the first organised academic attempts to examine the ongoing situation in Manipur through scientific and evidence-based perspectives rather than competing narratives and speculation.

He said the studies could open new avenues for inter-disciplinary research into the causes, impacts and long-term consequences of the crisis.

Prof Jibonkumar noted that South Asian Anthropologist, first published in 1980, is among India's oldest anthropology journals.

He also said universities must not only preserve knowledge but also generate research that addresses society's pressing challenges with academic integrity, scientific rigour and commitment to truth.

The speakers observed that the prolonged crisis has left deep social, educational, economic and psychological impacts on the people of Manipur and expressed hope that the special issue would contribute to informed public discourse and encourage further evidence-based research on the State's contemporary challenges.

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