MU discourse bats for sustainable development
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 02 2023: An academic discussion held at Manipur University on Thursday has underscored the need for constituting a high level committee to come up with recommendations for improving the socio -economic and educational-status of different communities and bringing inclusive and sustainable development in the state.

Research Club Manipur University (RCMU) and Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) jointly organised the academic discussion programme held under the theme 'A Roadmap for Restoration of Normalcy in Manipur' at the auditorium of the university.

Manipur University vice-chancellor professor N Lokendra and MUSU president Th Sonamani attended the programme as chief guest and president respectively while MU dean of students' welfare professor M Premjit and Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA) president professor 1 Gambhir were present as guests of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, professor N Lokendra stressed the need for revisiting historical facts in the light of the present crisis in the state.

Leaders of all communities need to understand the true history of Manipur and study historical records and incidents in order to bring a lasting solution.

Nobody can ignore the truth and taking decisions based on fabricated or concocted history cannot last long, he said.

With intellectuals, academicians, social activists and CSOs studying historical records amid the crisis, the root cause of the current situation is coming out in the public domain gradually.

Though it may be late but efforts should be made to bring out the truth, which is why there is still the need for revisiting historical records and past incidents.

The contribution and position of middle class people in the state should not be ignored while resolving the crisis.

They should also come out and play their part in bringing an amicable solution, he elaborated.

According to MUSU research scholar representative Hemam Raishowriya, Manipur having written history of over 2000 years is an undeniable fact.

Though people from all communities play their part in developing a nation, the main-role was played by Meetei community as per historical records.

History also shows the co-existence, mutual respect while upholding their respective culture and traditions among the different communities, which is also evident from the fact that many small communities with less than 1000 population are still surviving for more than thousands of years.

Meetei, as a majority community, played the key role in protecting these small communities through the long journey of civilisation and every community in the state needs to understand this contribution of Meeteis, she said.

Though normalcy in the state is an ambiguous term considering the decades of conflict and unrest, the normalcy people are talking about today is the state of affairs that existed before May 3 when people of Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zo community started coordinated attacks against the Meetei.

The biggest responsibility for the present state of affairs in the state should lie with the Central and state governments since it is their duty to maintain law and order.

As such, the two governments should play the biggest role in resolving the crisis and restoring peace and normalcy.

At the same time, the government needs to welcome suggestions and recommendations from the public, and this is the main reason for organising the academic discussion, she said.

The research scholar urged the gathering to share their suggestions and also to take up research based programmes if necessary.

The discussion, held in two technical sessions, adopted six recommendations, which include measures to debunk rumours, promotion of dialogue and debate, intellectual and academic freedom, consideration of different indigenous communities, respecting autonomy of a state under federal structure of government, clarification on the imposition of Article 355 in the state, short and long term measures for providing social justice to displaced people, effective and efficient measures to counter the anti-social elements arising out of narco-terror activities, and constitution of a high level committee to suggest recommendations for improving socio-economic and educational status of different communities and for bringing inclusive and sustainable development in the state.

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