New Delhi, Aug 21 — Director General of Assam Rifles Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera on Friday emphasised how social media narratives can destabilise society and urged the youth to stay vigilant against malicious campaigns circulating on social media platforms.
Addressing the Annual Maj Bob Khathing Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, the Assam Rifles DG said that everyone, especially the youth, needs to be more alert and aware of malicious campaigns sometimes carried out through social media.
The Assam Rifles, in collaboration with the United Service Institution of India (USI), New Delhi, organised the Annual Maj Bob Khathing Memorial Lecture at USI on Friday. The lecture commemorates the distinguished contribution and enduring legacy of Major Bob Khathing, a legendary military leader and statesman whose life and service remained closely associated with the Northeast region and the cause of national integration.
Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar, Director General of Military Operations, delivered the keynote address, emphasising that a study of Major Bob Khathing’s life is a reminder that leadership in the Northeast requires an understanding of both security perspectives and society, and that national integration is strengthened by building trust among the people.
Vice Admiral Sanjay J. Singh (Retd), Director General of USI, highlighted Major Bob Khathing's rich legacy and contributions.
The theme of this year’s Memorial Lecture was “Weaponisation of Social Media Platforms in the North East to Spread False Narrative against the Security Forces and Suggested Lines of Effort to Counter the Same.” Subir Bhaumik, a distinguished author and commentator on the Northeast and its security and strategic affairs, delivered the lecture.
Drawing on his extensive experience and understanding of the region, Bhaumik discussed the evolving information environment in the Northeast and the growing use of social media platforms to spread false narratives and propaganda against the security forces.
A defence spokesman said the lecture examined how the weaponisation of social media could influence public perception, create distrust and adversely impact the credibility of security forces.
“It also focused on the emerging challenges posed by misinformation and coordinated narrative campaigns, while suggesting practical and effective lines of effort to counter the same,” he said.
The event brought together senior military officers, veterans, strategic affairs experts, academicians, media professionals and scholars, providing a platform for meaningful discussion and exchange of views on the evolving information environment and its implications for the Northeast region of India. An interactive question‑and‑answer session then allowed participants to engage with the speaker.
The Annual Maj Bob Khathing Memorial Lecture continues to serve as an important platform for fostering informed discourse on contemporary issues concerning the Northeast region, national security, and India’s strategic interests, while commemorating the remarkable legacy of Major Bob Khathing.
Major Khathing, who played a key role in establishing Indian administrative control over Tawang in 1951, has a memorial set up by the Arunachal Pradesh government at Tawang. The people of Tawang donated the land for the memorial.
Braving harsh terrain and weather conditions, Major Khathing and his team undertook an arduous journey on foot from Chariduar, Assam, to Tawang, beginning on January 17, 1951. The team reached Tawang on February 6, 1951, and after interacting with local leaders and the people, the Indian administration was formally established in the area on February 9.
Major Khathing’s historic expedition and his efforts to establish Indian administrative control over Tawang are regarded as a significant contribution to national integration and the consolidation of India’s Northeastern frontier.