Shillong, February 13 : The John Roberts Theological College (JRTC), Shillong on Friday successfully organised a one-day seminar on the theme “Peace and Justice in the Context of Ethnic Conflict in Northeast India.” The seminar brought together scholars and academicians to deliberate on issues of ethnicity, identity formation, conflict and peacebuilding in the region.
The programme began with an inaugural address by Rev. Dr. B.L. Nongbri, Principal of JRTC, who emphasised the urgent need for dialogue, understanding and reconciliation in addressing ethnic tensions in the Northeast.
Session I: Prof. Marco B. Mitri (Department of History, NEHU, Shillong) presented a paper titled “Peopling, Identity Formation and Conflicts in North East India.”
Session II: Rev. Dr. H. Rymbai (Department of Religion, JRTC, Shillong) delivered a presentation on “Ethnicity, Conflict and Peacebuilding in the Contemporary North East India: A Descriptive Study on Ethnic Conflict in Meghalaya with Reference to Khasi and Jaintia Hills.”
Session III: Ms. Finley E.J. Syngai (HoD, Department of Sociology, St. Edmund’s College, Shillong) presented “Conflict Scenario in North East India: Looking at Ethnic Conflict and Its Resolution from a Sociological Perspective.”
Session IV: Dr. A.W. Rani (Department of Political Science, Synod College, Shillong) spoke on “Contested Border and Ethnic Conflict: The Khasi-Karbi Tensions in Lapangap Village.”
Each session concluded with academic discussions and reflections, highlighting the importance of scholarly engagement in promoting peace, justice and mutual understanding in Northeast India.
