Globalization and its impacts deliberated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 18 2014: Globalization and militarization in the name of development pose serious challenge to human security.

This is the common observation of Dr Homen Thangjam and Soihiamlung Dangmei.

Speaking at a panel discussion programme on "Globalization and its impacts on development, ethnic relations and human security in Manipur" organised by National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) at Kuki Inn here today, Dr Homen and Dr Soihiamlung observed that militarization in the name of development, imposition of AFSPA in the name of tackling insurgency and globalization breed serious impacts on human security in Manipur.

The situation demands collective struggle by all the indigenous communities of the State rather than pursuing parochial ethno-centric politics, they said.

Centre for Manipur Studies, MU Director Prof Naorem Joykumar moderated the panel discussion.

Dr Homen said that human development index of Manipur is very high as the infant mortality rate is low.

However lack of transparency in taking up any development work, militarization of all areas where development projects are being implemented and imposition of AFSPA for a protracted period entail rampant human rights violation apart from posing serious challenges to human security.

When an area has been militarized, people of the locality are denied access to natural resources available in the particular area.

For instances, people/tourists were free to roam in any part of Loktak Lake and people had their own sources of income but after military forces were stationed at Sendra, civilians have been denied access to many parts of the lake thereby curtailing their means of livelihood.

All projects sites including those of Loktak project and Tipaimukh project have been heavily militarized on the pretext that these projects might be targeted by militants.

The proposed trans-Asian highway and expansion of roads are meant for transhipping goods of big industrialists and businessmen, and movement of military forces, Dr Homen said.

IGNTU-RCM Assistant Professor Dr Soihiamlung Dangmei remarked that globalization is a new face of colonialism.

Whereas colonialism was about physical conquest of a Nation, globalization is more about controlling the markets and economy of the foreign Nations.

It is only the rich and wealthy people who stand to benefit from globalization.

As for the common people, globalization is synonymous with impoverishment, displacement and all kinds of woes.

Against this all pervasive wave of globalization, the State as well as the civil society have huge responsibilities but there is a disconnect between the two.

"We cannot resist globalization but we must face it collectively keeping aside all differences", Dr Soihiamlung asserted.

Prof N Joykumar said that Manipur lost its political identity in 1949.Now Manipur is slowly losing its cultural and economic identity.

The much hyped India's Look East Policy is not for the common mass.

It stands to serve only the interest of big businessmen and industrialists.

All the communities of Manipur are riding on a boat.

If this boat sinks, all the communities would perish.

As such, all the communities need to promote the idea of co-existence and collective development, Prof Joykumar said.

Prof W Nabakumar of Manipur University too spoke at the panel discussion.

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