North East Insurgency

North East India (NEI) consists of eight states of India, namely Sikkim and the “seven sister states” of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh (ALP), Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya.
Borders of Northeast India are Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
It is connected to mainstream India through the 22 km narrow “Siliguri Corridor” which is commonly known as the chicken neck that locate between Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Pre-Independence Era

Initially the region was ruled by Ahom dynasty and after the Anglo – Burmese conflict the region was taken over by Britain.
During the British era, Tribal groups constituted an overwhelming majority of the population in most of the areas they inhabited.
The British had generally followed a policy of non-interference in these areas.
The British gave special administrative status to these areas. The British government did not disturb their socio-political structure and followed a deliberate policy of excluding the outsiders.
Christian missionaries altered the society in the North-East and modern progressive ideas prevailed in the tribal youth.
A sum total of British policy resulted in isolation of North-East from the rest of India and participation in national independence struggle is also low due to which feeling of nation is not developed strongly.

After Independence

The integration of these distinct cultures of North-East into the “mainstream” was generally met with resentment.
The insurgencies started in the Naga Hills. Under the leadership of Phizo, the Naga National Council (NNC) declared independence from India in 1947. Despite efforts at political settlement by various leaders of that time, the unrest did not die.
The Tribals of the North-East region were afraid of losing their identity.

Ethnic Conflict
- NE is the most ethnically diverse region in India. Each of these tribes has its own distinct culture.
- Thus, each tribal sect resents being integrated into mainstream India as it means losing their own distinct identity.
- For example – Manipur conflict between Meities and Kukis.
Lack of Economic Development
- The reason for resentment among the northeast people is due to lack of development which results in unemployment and deprivation.
- It ultimately triggered a feeling among northeastern people for autonomy among them.
Arms Supply
- The insurgent groups got easy access to arms from India’s neighbours like China.
Demography
- The influx of refugees from Bangladesh into Assam led to a dramatic change in the demographic landscape of the region.
- This led to discontent amongst the people of the region, thereby giving rise to insurgency in Assam with the United National Liberation Front (ULFA), formed in 1979, leading the mass anti-immigrant agitation.
Porosity of the border with Myanmar
- Led to movement of arms and insurgent groups.
Internal Displacement
- It is due to mutual conflict between tribes. For example – displacement of Bru tribes from Tripura.
Golden triangle
- Proximity to the Golden triangle ensures funding for separatist/secessionist organisations via support of illegal drug smuggling.

Constitutional provision
- Sixth Schedule which protected not only the tribal laws, customs and land rights; but also gave sufficient autonomy to the tribes to administer themselves with minimum outside interference.
- Special status to states like Nagaland
Other Steps
- Border Area Development Project
- Hill Area Development Programme
- Inner Line Permit (ILP) – Restrictions are imposed on the entry of outsiders to maintain the original identity of indigenous people of Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Entry of outsiders is not allowed without ILP.