India’s North Eastern Region includes Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur. The states except Sikkim are known as the Seven Sisters. They are cut off from the rest of the country and have a distinct geographical, cultural, political and administrative entity. The only way these states are connected to the rest of India is through the Siliguri Corridor. Sikkim is often referred to as the brother of the Seven Sisters, as it gets separated from them through the corridor or ‘chicken neck corridor’. The North Eastern Region has the highest number of indigenous people, with Asia’s most militarized and politically volatile states. This region is a biodiversity hotspot and is a top tourist attraction. NER is also a natural reserve for many minerals such as oil, coal and gas.
After more than seventy-five years of Independence, northeastern India continues to be underdeveloped, lacking essential services, including health and education. Occasionally, there is media coverage about human rights violations. The Central Government mainly does policymaking for NER. There has been an increase in resource extraction through mining and hydroelectric power, yet the necessities remain unmet. There is a sort of unrest on land sovereignty, identity and conflict.
The data and information on the NER is not adequately analyzed or communicated between the region and the Centre, which has led to misinformation, mismanagement and alienation. When conflict is in its violent form, it affects political sovereignty and the people living there. Let’s look at the reasons for the conflict.
If we look at history, this region is ethnically closer to Southeast Asia than other Indian states. It’s not that cultural diversity is the problem, but the territorial organization is the issue. In the 1950s, the racial and cultural specificities were ignored in such a manner, it gave rise to discontent and questioning one’s identity. The way the colonial rulers managed this area, the administration of this place never came in touch with the rest of India. When India as a nation was created, this region was not much committed. Adding to that, it got physically separated due to the creation of Eastern Pakistan. Ninety-nine per cent of NER has international boundaries. The government still today fails to manage this region. Their policies haven’t helped either.
All the states of NER have distinct cultures, languages, tribes and grouping them as “northeast”, homogenizing this region with the same policies has received a local version. If we think logically, the NER, being situated between mainland India and South-East Asia can have immense benefits, reducing the poverty of this region. Moreover, this region has so many natural resources, rich biodiversity and rich hydroelectricity powers, which could help to instil a sense of confidence among the inhabitants. However, the fear that significant development could lead to migration and the origins of this region might get lost. Therefore, if there is an opening in this region, it needs to be appropriately regulated, with cooperation from the local people.
The government is mainly concerned about territorial security than the development of NER. There is the fear that creating an opening can increase cross border terrorism, also growing Chinese influence. This has limited the development of this region.
NER represents many challenges that will last for a long time, and it will be interesting to look at how the integrative and accommodative capacity of Indian Democracy faces it.
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