Academic discourse delves into Manipur crisis
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 03 2025: Manipur University Vice Chancellor Prof Naorem Lokendra has remarked that Manipuri society is now regressing following the violent crisis which broke out on May 3, 2023 .

Prof N Lokendra was speaking at an academic discourse jointly organised by the COCOMI, College Development Council, MU's Political Science Department, Law Department and Department of South East Asian Studies at the university's Court Hall today.

The VC said that Manipur has been witnessing an unprecedented crisis for the past 23 months and all sections of people have been severely affected by the crisis.

The people have been facing scarcity of essential commodities and suffering from inadequate healthcare facilities, particularly in hill areas.

A large number of people whose houses were burnt down have been living a wretched life in relief camps, Prof Lokendra said.

He said that all the students and youth are future pillars of the State but a large number of students are being denied proper education in different parts of the State.

Manipur at present is regressing in every sector of life.

As a result, the State would not be able to produce eminent academicians and intellectuals for a long time, he said.

Manipur is a world class society excelling in the fields of culture, theatre, performing arts, sports etc.

Manipur is known for its international sportspersons, talented artistes, theatre personalities and mesmerising performing arts, he remarked.

COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba said that the academic discourse was organised to elicit opinions of academicians and intellectuals on the genesis of the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 .

He said that the observations shared by intellectuals and scholars at the academic discourse would be published in the form of an article.

The 23 months old crisis is multi-dimensional and it would be wrong to conclude that the crisis is a conflict between two communities, Athouba said.

In its long history, Manipur has faced many challenges and military aggression several times.

After the Seven Years' Devastation, Manipur fought against British invaders.

Then the people of Manipur endured the devastating impacts of the Second World War and this was followed by the prolonged struggle against the infamous Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Athouba said.

History is witness to the fact that the people of Manipur have been fighting valiantly and successfully against all these challenges, he said.

MU Law Department, Head Dr Yumnam Premananda and Department of South East Asian Studies, Head Dr Chinglen Maisnam were also present at the opening session of the academic discourse as special guests.

The academic discourse then deliberated on three topics.

On the topic "India's Role in Geopolitics and Strategic Interests", independent researchers and ICWA New Delhi's former research fellow Dr Puyam Rakesh, DMU Assistant Prof Dr Md Farizuddin, DMU Associate Prof Dr Noni Arambam, research scholar Laishram Welkim, Dr Chinglen Maisnam and Dr Kangujam Sanatomba of MU Political Science Department presented papers.

LHRM director Advocate Korouhanba Luwang, MU Law Department, Head Dr Y Premananda and HRLN director Advocate Meihoubam Rakesh spoke on the topic "Legal and Human Rights Consideration" .

IGNTU Associate Prof Dr Homen Thangjam, Impact TV Editor-in-Chief Yumnam Rupachandra, UNI Bureau chief Ningthoukhongjam Satyajeet, historian and author Dr Malem Ningthouja and The Frontier Manipur Editor Dhiren Ambrose Sadokpam spoke on the topic "Conflict Dynamics and Strategic Approaches" .

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