Workshop on "Present unrest in Manipur: Its causes and solutions" concludes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2023: A 2-day Seminar cum Workshop on "Present Unrest in Manipur: Its Causes and Solutions" organised by Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) concluded yesterday at the Court Hall, Manipur University, Canchipur.

The seminar concluded with a threadbare panel discussion on "Present Imbroglio in Manipur and Restoration of Peace: Way Forward" moderated by Prof W Nabakumar Singh, Department of Anthropology, Manipur University in which altogether eight eminent panelists from different communities and walks of life expressed their viewpoints on various ways and means for restoration of peace in Manipur, said a release issued by MUTA.

On the second day, Technical Session III "Historical Perspective of Ethnic Communities in Manipur", was held followed by Technical Session IV "Narco-Terrorism, Government Policies and Legislations in Manipur", Technical Session V "Government of India's Policy on Border Management, Geopolitics and Suspension of Operations (SoO)" and panel discussion.

The resource persons highlighted the stone inscriptions erected by the Kings of Manipur to mark the boundaries over time in history and the role played by different communities to check and prevent immigration into the then kingdom of Manipur.

There was also discussion on the concept of worldviews held by the Manipuris particularly by the Meiteis to encompass the ideas of cohesiveness including the forests and environment.

The idea of Zalen'gam was also deliberated cutting the deeply rooted idea of nationhood held by Chin Kuki tribes.

The workshop also held how the narco-terrorism has been in place over time and how it operates in Manipur and the legal aspects to identify and address the present unrest.

The workshop discussed intricacies of geo-political policies in designing internal security along the line of the present unrest.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the workshop on Friday, Prof N Lokendra, Vice Chancellor of Manipur University, mentioned that Assam, Manipur and Tripura are the historically evolved states having qualitative difference in terms of state formation.

"During the 18th and 19th centuries, the state of Manipur was able to negotiate with all powers for responding to any political and economic problems.

Both Hill and Valley people settled together in a cohesive system collectively", he added.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor (retired) W Nabakumar shared that the major influx of Chin- Kuki groups into Manipur started from the 8-8-88 Uprising Movement in Myanmar.

"They started creating cultural boundaries and converted it into political boundaries which impacted on the collective psyche of the people settled in the valley.

It might be the genesis of the present unrest in Manipur", he asserted.

In his presidential address, Prof Irom Gambhir said that the people of Manipur are at the crossroads having no clear roadmap of what possible steps would be taken to identify the real cause and possible solution of the present unrest in Manipur.

He expressed hope that the seminar could bring out tangible outcomes which will, to some extent, help the government and stakeholders.

Inauguration was followed by two technical sessions on the theme, "Manipur Demography, Population Dynamics and Developmental Planning" and "Status of Hill-Valley, Forest and Environmental Issues in Manipur" on the first day.

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