Sikkim University’s Department of Peace and Conflict Studies concludes study trip 2025 in Arunachal Pradesh

The Department of Peace and Conflict Studies and Management (PCSM) at Sikkim University has successfully concluded its annual Study Trip 2025 in Arunachal Pradesh. The trip, which was held from January 19 to 28, 2025, included a series of enlightening activities and interactions with local communities, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the region's history, culture, and conflict resolution practices.

A key highlight of the trip was the participation in the 76th Republic Day celebrations at the Parade Ground in Tawang on January 26, 2025. The event, organized under the aegis of the Tawang town administration, saw the presence of notable dignitaries including Namgey Tshering, the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Tawang, Sangay Wangmu, the Deputy Commissioner (In-charge) of Tawang, and army officers from various troops. The celebrations were attended by local Gaobudas (village heads), students from various colleges and schools, civil society representatives, and cultural troops from Bhutan.

Following the Republic Day celebrations, the study trip included a visit to Bumla Pass at the Indo-China border, where faculty members, research scholars, and students of the department had the opportunity to gain insights into the geopolitical and strategic significance of the area.

Throughout the ten-day field study, the participants engaged in numerous interactive sessions with the village heads and residents of Thembung, Sangti, and Dirang Bazar in West Kameng district. These discussions focused on a range of topics including the history of tribal warfare, traditional agricultural practices, Indigenous Mechanisms of Conflict Resolution (IMCR), and the socio-ethnic and clan structures of various tribal communities in the state.

The team also had the privilege of visiting the Gyelchen Karma Thrinley Tenne Gonpa in Tawang, a monastery with deep-rooted Buddhist religious practices. The visit provided an opportunity to explore the traditional religious customs followed by the local community. The Sangti village, home to this monastery, recently celebrated the inauguration of its renovated version in 2022, with the presence of dignitaries such as Shri Pema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, and Shri Prem Singh Golay Tamang, the Chief Minister of Sikkim.

The Department of PCSM was led by Prof. Nawal K. Paswan (Head of the Department), and the team included Dr. Tikendra K. Chhetry (Faculty Member), Dr. Neeraj Adhikari (President, Doctorate Association of Sikkim), along with PhD scholars and students from the Master of Arts (MA) programme. The trip not only offered a comprehensive study of the region's historical and cultural dynamics but also provided an enriching experience for the participants, fostering a deeper understanding of conflict management and peacebuilding in the northeastern part of India.