The Illegal Immigration and Ethnic Conflicts of NE India
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Strategic Importance
3. Various Accords
4. Sixth Schedule and Local Autonomy
5. Historical Background of Immigration
6. After Partition of India
7. Immigration Before and After 1971
8. Laws and Agreements to tackle Immigration and citizenship in India
9. Provisions of IMDT Act 1983
10. Assam Accord, 1985
11. Supreme court Verdict, 2005
12. Present Scenario
1. Introduction:
* In the midst of security, human rights, border Land and resource sharing issues of North East India, the illegal Immigration gets up in the order as one of the major socio economic unresolved problems.
* Started as a conflict between the inhabitants and settlers as land tenants during British period, the issue developed as a resource sharing to communal conflicts.
* The clashes and loss of life for the past five decades needs strong political decisions regardless of the brotherhood bond between India and Bangladesh.
* The violence of Kokrajhar in Assam triggered all India communal tensions towards a particular community. The issue needed to be addressed in a broader platform.
* For Mains, this article can be covered under topics of GS-II paper and State PSCs exams.
1. Strategic Importance:
* Ethnic mosaic as diverse as the rest of our nation, of the 563 communities listed by the People of India project, 635 were categorized as tribal, as which 213 were belong to NE states.
* Project also listed 325 languages of 175 belong to Tibeto-Burman and the MonKhmer family were found in NE.
* NE represents Indias most complex affair, leading to difficulty in policy making and execution.
* 84% of its population from rural, Geography- 9%of India, 98% of border form Indias International Boundary.
* Connected by 27Km Siliguri Corridor of West Bengal with rest of the Nation. Called as 7 sister and a brother State. Sikkim not part of NE initially, till approved so by GoI in 2002.
* Rich in Resources: Hydrocarbons, coal, Limestone, dolomite, Graphite, Quartzite, Sillimonite etc.,
* Over 10% of Forest Products requirements of the country met from NER. Rich in Biodiversity, Immense Potential in Hydro Power Generation.
* 80% of Total Hydro Power Potential of the Country. Arunachal Pradesh alone Expected to Generate 267GW i.e 30% of Total Country Production.
* A central region for many International Initiatives and Trade agreements: SAFTA, BIMSTEC, APTA, LEP, EAS.
* Gateway for South-East Asian Nations. Though shares just 3% of Total GDP of the Nation.
* Because of Multi-Lingual and Multi-Religious society, NE envisaged with some special Provision in Our Constitution like Part IX and Part IXA not applicable for Nagaland and Parts of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram.
* Local Autonomy ensured with Sixth Schedule Status to NE states: Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
* Special Status For Nagaland Under Art- 371A
1. Various Accords:
Peace Accords and the creation and restructuring of Administrative Units in NE India
Date Accord Parties to the Accord Unit Created
1947Naga-Akbar Hydari AccordAkbar Hydari, Assam State and Naga National Council Representatives. Nagas Given Autonomy for 10years.
1960Sixteen Point AgreementGoI and Naga Peoples ConventionCreated the State of Nagaland
1975Shillong AccordGovernor L.P.Singh of Nagaland and Underground OrganizationSurrendered but no benefit for Nagas
1985Assam AccordAASU&AGSP reps, Union Home Ministry, Chief Secretary, Assam.Explained in detail Below
1986MoUGoI and Laldenga on behalf of Mizo National FrontCreated the State of Mizoram
1988MoUGoI and Tripura National VolunteersReorganization of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous Dist Councils(TTAADC) promised
1988Darjeeling Hill AccordGoI, WB State and Gorkhaland National Liberation Front Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council
1993Memorandum of SettlementAll Bodo Students Union President and Assam StateBodoland Autonomous Council
1993Agartala Agreement/MoSTripura state and All Tripura Tiger ForceRenewed Commitment to reorganize TTAADC
1994MoSMizoram State Council and Hmar Peoples ConventionSinlung Hills Development Council
1995MoUAssam State and Representatives of community organization of the Rabhas, Karbis, Tiwas and MishingsKarbi Anglong District council became Karbi Anglong autonomous Council. Rabha-Hasong Autonomous council, Tiwa Autonomous council and Mishing Autonomous Council which were not territorial, were established.
2003Bodoland Territorial Council AgreementGoI, Assam State and Bodo territorial Council AgreementBodoland Territorial Council
2011MoU GoI, WB State and Gorkha Janmukti MorchaCreated Gorkhaland Territorial Administration
1. The Sixth Schedule And Local Autonomy:
The changing status of the areas under the 1919 and 1935 Acts after Independence is shown below.
Backward Tracts under 1919 Act Renamed as Excluded Areas in 1935Act. Included in the Sixth Scheduleof the Indian Constitution in 1950 Present Status of the Areas
Garo Hills district, Khasi Hills district Jaintia district Reconstituted as Meghalaya and an autonomous state in Assam in 1969. Meghalaya, became a full fledged state in 1971. The three districts still enjoy autonomy under the Sixth Schedule
Mikir Hills Renamed as Karbi Anglong
North Cachar Hills Renamed as North Cachar
Naga Hills districtBecame a part of Nagaland state in 1963 (earlier constituted as union territory).
Lushai Hills districtBecame Mizoram state in 1987(earlier constituted as union territory)
Sadiya frontier tractBalipara frontier tractLakhimpur frontier tractThese three tracts were first reconstituted as North-Eastern Frontier Area (NEFA) and subsequently as Arunachal Pradesh state
* Sixth Schedule provided for autonomous districts and autonomous regions within those districts with elected councils that enjoyed the power to levy certain taxes, to constitute courts for administering justice and make laws on various subjects. Powers of the District Councils and Regional Councils to make laws were with respect to-
(a) the allotment, occupation or use, or the setting apart, of land, other than any land which is a reserved forest for the purposes of agriculture or grazing or for residential or other non-agricultural purposes or for any other purpose likely to promote the interests of the inhabitants of any village or town
(b) the management of any forest not being a reserved forest;
(c) the use of any canal or water-course for the purpose of agriculture;
(d) the regulation of the practice of jhum or other forms of shifting cultivation;
(e) the establishment of village or town committees or councils and their powers;
(f) any other matter relating to village or town administration, including village or town police and public health and sanitation;
(g) the appointment or succession of Chiefs or Headmen;
(h) the inheritance of property;
* A "reserved forest" mean area reserved under Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, or under any other law for the time being in force in the area in question.
* The District Council for an autonomous district shall have the power to levy and collect all or any of the following taxes within such district, that is to say-
(a) taxes on professions, trades, callings and employments;
(b) taxes on animals, vehicles and boats;
(c) taxes on the entry of goods into a market for sale therein, and tolls on passengers and goods carried in ferries; and
(d) taxes for the maintenance of schools, dispensaries or roads. Further licences or leases for the purpose of prospecting for, or extraction of, minerals. - Also were under the purview of the respective District Council.
Areas in the NE region NOT covered under part IX and part IX A of the constitution
State/Area within a State Provisions under which exempt
NagalandExempt under Article 243M and not covered under Sixth Schedule
Hill areas of Manipur
Meghalaya Exempt under Article 243M and covered by the provisions of the Sixth Schedule
Mizoram Exempt under Article 243M, with some areas of the State covered by the provisions of the Sixth Schedule
Bodoland, North Cachar and Karbi Anglong districts of AssamCovered under Sixth Schedule
1. Historical Background of the Issue:
* British east India company brought Muslim Peasants from East Bengal to Brahmaputra Valley(Policy of Permanent Settlement), Policy towards the development of the region accelerated the movement of people from outside, they needed essential human resources includes administrators, businessmen & Laours.
* Assam annexed by British in 1826 and adopted Bengali as official Language though mostly inhibited by Bodos and Ahoms. Bodos are Largest Plain Tribes of India.
* Partition Bengal in 1905 created Communal differences and Tensions.
* Formation of All India Muslim League in Dhaka in 1906 encouraged the migration to increase the Muslim population in Assam for political reasons.
* GoI(Excluded and Partially Excluded areas) order 1926 and GoI Act 1935 all based on assumptions that only hill tribes need special protection as there were vast differences between them and the majority of the Assamese people in the Plains. Plain Tribes Ignored.
* In 1937 Muslim League, demanded and created Pakistan for Muslims, became part of the ruling dispensation of Assam and its leader, Saiyid Mohammad Saadulla, headed five different ministries for most of the period 1937-1946. The elections had been held to Indian provinces after the British relented and gave Provincial Autonomy.
* In 1941 the ruling Muslim League introduced Land Settlement Policy, which allowed migrants to settle down in government land anywhere in Assam.
* The agitation of locals opposed to the migration was further intensified by claims of Saadulla during World War II that his policy of allowing migrants into Assam was part of an effort of the Muslim League to help the British in its World War II efforts. The Muslim League, which supported the British war efforts, claimed immigrants would help in cultivating more food for the war period.
1. After partition of India:
* After partition, though Jinnah was secular in his inaugural speech, the following government provoked major communal riots and made Hindus to flee India.
* The East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act 1950 enacted by Muslim League made No land to be possessed by a single person in excess of 200 bighas or a quantity of 10 standard bighas/person of his family.
* The Zamindars, mostly Hindus lost land and fled to India in fear of future troubles.
* India Responded with Immigrant(Expulsion from Assam)Act 1950. It distinguished immigrants as Hindus- refuees and Muslims- Migrants. Allowed only people affected by civil disturbances in East Pakistan to settle in India(Muslim cannot claim so). Deported back them into East Pakistan.
* The Indias action created much antipathy to Pakistan and the made a pact with India. That is Nehru-Liaquat Ali Agreement of 1950 to allow return of all migrants back into East Pakistan regardless of religion and ensured same land they left before flee.
* Also it brought Muslims who fled to East Pakistan back into India. Around 161360 people came to Assam through recognized route during 1950.
* The all deportation allowed only who migrated before Dec31, 1950.
1. Immigration Before and After 1971:
* In 1964, Fresh Communal riots absorbed in both nations. Large influx of Hindu migrants in India.
* Assam state passed Prevention of Infiltration from Pakistan(PIP)Act 1964- More Secular from 1950 Act.
* This Formed Special Border Force, set up passport checkup center. More Engagements from federal government for the governance of border area witnessed.
* After the war of 1971, 75Million population of Bangladesh, 10 Million fled to India as refugees and 1million stayed permanently.
* When Electoral rolls were revised by State Election Commission, found a large no of Bangladeshi Muslims were included in that and asked the state to identify the constituencies with a big rise in no of votes.
* Assam Movement (1979-85) formed to agitate against the issue, Majority of them were Bodos, Koch-Rajbhangshi, Rabhas, Adivasis, Tea Tribes and Assamese.
* Issue worsened because of Nalli Massacre-1983.
* As a result, GoI enacted Illegal Migrant(Detention by Tribunals)Act 1983 confined only to Assam.
* Tripura do witnessed 6 lakh Bengali immigrants from 1947-1971.
* The Inhabitants who speaks Kokborok and other tribal groups formed Tripura National Volunteer Force (TNVF) and killed Bengali Immigrants at Mandai Bazaar (Mandai Bazaar Massacre).
* Agreement between GoI & TNVF for self-governance as TripuraTribal Autonomous Council.
* Extremists activities still exists under All Tripura Tiger Force and National Liberation Front of Tripura.
1. Laws and Agreements to tackle immigration and Citizenship in India:
* The Foreigners Act 1946 (all India, except Assam till Assam Accord was Signed).
* The foreigners Order 1948
* Citizenship Act 1955
* The Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964
* The Foreigners (Tribunals) Amendment Order 2012
* The Passport(Entry into India)Act 1920
* The Citizenship (Registration of Citizen and Issue of National identity cards) Rules 2003
* The Citizenship Rules 2009
* Nehru- Liaquat Ali Agreement 1950
* Assam Accord, 1985
2. Provisions of IMDT Act, 1983:
* Enacted purportedly to deal with the detention of foreigners illegally migrated to India across the borders of the sensitive East& NE regions of the Country.
* Failed to serve the purpose because of its very stringent provisions.
* It setup tribunals to hear the complaints as quasi-judicial body. The complainant was required to prove the suspect is an Illegal Immigrant.
* It created burden to the complainant also contrary to other Laws, especially in Foreigner Act the onus to prove lies on suspect not on the prosecution.
* Also Complaint against a Immigrant could be filled only by prosecution lives within 3Km radius of the residence of accused. The affidavit also should be supported by a person of above same condition.
* The Act applicable to the migrants of after 25 March 1971.
* The Definition of Illegal Immigrant was mentioned as one without possessing passport, any travel document and any Law document.
* Conviction become difficult because easy to claim loss of passport, document etc., so responsibility again fell on Litigant.
* It restricted Litigant by saying not more than 10 application (or) declaration per one litigant.
1. Assam Accord, 1985
* Fixed the cut-off date to determine illegal migrants in Assam was March25,1971.
* Migrants who arrived before that considered citizens and arrived between Jan 01,1966 to Mar25, 1971 registered under Foreigners Act, their names deleted from electoral rolls for 10 years and restored after that.
* Those who came after Mar25,1971 deported under IMDTs.
* Other features of Accord include
* Updating NRC of 1951
* Cross checking electoral rolls with the updated NRC.
* Demarcation of the Indo-Bangladesh border clearly and creation of clear inhibited belt.
* Strict maintenance of Birth &Death registers at all administrative levels.
* Raising additional armed battalions and river police force to check infiltration
* Rebels not agreed with the accord and struggled to revoke it and asked for new law which deports all illegal immigrants irrespective of time of immigration.
1. Supreme Court Verdict, 2005
* Failure of IM(DT) Act, the cases Deported 1985-2003 were 1561 compared with deported from 1962-1984 through Foreigners Act 1946 were 3 Lakh, questioned the validity of the Act.
* On the Case Sarbananda Sonowal vs. Union of India in SC 2005, held that onus to prove a person as a foreigner on the complainant as unconstitutional and stuck down the Act.
* SC observed Deep analysis of IMDT act & Rules made they have purportedly enacted or made to give shelter or protection to immigrants of Bangladesh.
* Also held the Tribunals under IMDT should cease to function and cases before it to be transferred to Foreigners (Tribunals) order, 1964 and decided the manner provided under Foreigners Act, 1946.
* After the verdict the central amended Foreigners Act 1946 and Included Assam, as like other states in the Act. The tribunals became devoid of appellate authority to justify citizenship and the power came under Executive Authority.
* Government of West Bengal Managed to deport 50 lakh illegal migrants under Foreigners Act without Tribunals, IMDT act and any agitations recently.
1. Present Scenario
* According to a status Report of Union Home Ministry in 2008 says
* The demographic Composition in the districts bordering Bangladesh has altered with illegal immigration.
* Districts of Assam& WB bordering Bangladesh recorded high growth of population higher than the national Avg.
* According to affidavit by Assam state in 2008 says
* Three districts in Assam karimganj, Cachar and Dhubri borders Bangladesh
* All India Decadal growth of population during 1981-91 is 23.85%, but 42.08%, 47.5%, 56.57% respective with the above Districts.
* Consolidated total Deported/Pushed back illegal Immigrants under IMDTs-1547(Till July 2005) and Foreigners Tribunals-895(Till July 2012). Total=2442 Nos.
END
Name: Marudavanan.S
References:
1. White Paper on Foreigners' Issue, Home & Political Department, Government of Assam, July 2012.
2. Frontline Magazine, August and September 2012 Editions.
3. Research Paper on MIGRATION AND REFUGEE ISSUE BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH (2009) by Chitran Kumar, South Asian Studies Division, School of International Studies, JNU.
4. Securitization Of Illegal Migration of Bangladeshis To India Josy Joseph, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Singapore.
5. The Hindu Opinions.
Showing posts with label Sixth Schedule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sixth Schedule. Show all posts
Monday, January 13, 2014
Conflicts in Seven Sisters States (North-East India)
Introduction
* Seven states from Indias Northeast includes Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura well known as Seven sisters and Sikkim(a state of Indian union in 1975,became a member of the regional North Eastern council in 2003.Hence became a eighth Northeastern state ) are the locations of the earliest and longest insurgency in the country
* These states cover a combined area around 7.7% of the countrys territory and around 3.74% of national population
* This northeast region is poorly connected to the Indian mainland by a small corridor Silliguri corridor (known as Chickens neck)and it is home to numerous diverse communities and located strategically with borders with other countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Tibet/ China and Myanmar which created conflicts several times that is danger for Indias democracy
* In addition of insurgencies in the states, there are conflicts and confrontations over land use and control, issues of language, identity formation, demographic change and minority-majority problems
* At the commencement of the constitution, the present states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram constituted a district each of Assam, whereas Arunachal Pradesh, then NEFA (North-East Frontier Association),consisted of several frontier tracts administered by the Governor of Assam was therefore, to be a part of that state. The states of Manipur and Tripura were princely states which after merger with India in 1948 became Union territories.
* State of Nagaland(1963), Meghalaya(1972),conferring first , status of Union territory(1972) and subsequently statehood(1987) to Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram and elevation of Manipur and Tripura from Union territories to States in 1972
* Following the large scale reorganization of the region in 1972,a regional body, the North Eastern Council(NEC) was set up to provide a forum for inter-state coordination, regional planning and integrated development of the region to avoid intra-regional disparities
Historical reason for conflicts
* The historical connections among the traditional tribes in the Northeast are mainly of Tibetan, Barman and Mongoloid stock and closer to Southeast Asia than to South Asia. It is ethnically, linguistically and culturally very distinct from the other states of India
* Though cultural and ethnic diversity per say are not causes for conflict, but one of the major problem areas is that Northeast is territorially organized in such a manner that ethnic and cultural specificities were ignored during the process of outlining of state boundaries in the 1950s, giving rise to dissatisfaction of ones identity
* The colonial rulers took nearly a century to annex the entire region and administered the hill as a loose frontier area as a result the large parts of the northeastern hill areas never came in touch with the principle of a central administration before. Hence, their loyalty to the newly formed states was lacking from the beginning which meant the loss of a major chunk of the physical connection between mainland and Northeast.
* Interestingly, 99% of the Northeasts boundaries is international and only 1% is domestic boundary
Typology of Conflicts
* Conflicts in the Northeast region from insurgency for secession to insurgency for autonomy, from sponsored terrorism to ethnic clashes to conflicts generated as a result of continuous inflow of migrants from across the borders as well as from other States. Conflicts in the region can be broadly grouped under the following categories:
* National conflicts: Involving concept of a distinct homeland as a separate nation and pursuit of the realization of that goal by its votaries
* Ethnic conflicts: Involving assertion of numerically smaller and less dominant tribal groups against the political and cultural hold of the dominant tribal group. In Assam this also takes the form of tension between local and migrant communities.
* Sub-regional conflicts: Involving movements which ask for recognition of sub-regional aspirations and often come in direct conflict with the State Governments or even the autonomous Councils.
Issues of governance
* The Indian governments past and ongoing processes of national integration, state-building and democratic consolidationhave further aggravated the conflict scenario in the region. For instance, the eight states comprising the Northeast is populated by nearly 40 million inhabitants who vary in language, race, tribe, caste, religion, and regional heritage. Therefore, most often, the clubbing of all these states under the tag of northeast has tended to have a homogenizing effect with its own set of implications for policy formulation and implementation; not to mention local unwillingness to such a construct
* The politico-administrative arrangements made by the Centre have also been lacking. For instance, the introduction of the Sixth Schedule Autonomous Councils (currently there are ten such Councils in the region and many more demanding such status) ended up creating multiple power centers instead of bringing in a genuine process of democratization or autonomy in the region
* The AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act) for instance, shows the inability and reluctance of the government to solve the conflict with adequate political measures. The AFSPA was passed on 18 August, 1958, as a short-term measure to allow deployment of the army to counter an armed separatist movement in the Naga Hills, has been in place for the last five decades and was extended to all the seven states of the Northeast region in 1972 (with the exception of Mizoram).
* It was part of a bundle of provisions, passed by the central government, to retain control over the Naga areas, in which the Naga National Council (NNC) demanded further autonomous rights. The AFSPA became a powerful measure for the central and the state government to act against actors challenging the political and territorial integrity of India.
* As a result, the Indian army for the first time since its independence was deployed to manage an internal conflict. But, instead of resolving the problem, it led to an ongoing escalation of the conflict by bringing it on a military level.The regular violations of human rights has led to a radicalization and militarization of the region and weakened also the supporters of a political solution. A fact-finding commission, appointed by the government in 2004, complained that the AFSPA has become a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and highhandedness.
* Though the conflict in the region is mired with complex political-economic issues, such as, struggle over natural resources, migration related issues, displacement, social exclusion it is mainly the politics of identity lie at the heart of the bigger part of the current conflict constellations in the Northeast
Foreign Policy imperative
* Indias look east policy which was formulated in 1991 on the heels of Indias economic liberalization, was a foreign economic policy initiative towards South East Asia. The Northeast which is geographically situated between mainland India and Southeast Asia is supposed to have had immense developmental benefits as a result of this initiative and hence, have synergy effects on reducing poverty in the region; as well as on insurgency and armed conflict.
* The regions diverse natural resources, rich bio-diversity and enormous hydro-electricity potential, among others, could also help to overcome the widespread feeling of backwardness among the inhabitants of the Northeast
* But there is also increasing argument made that the impact of increased introduction of market imperatives in the traditional society of the region would have irreversible impact on the peoples culture and life and it would also lead to increased settlement of mainland people to the northeast
* Thereby it is of high importance, that the announced opening will take place in a regulated frame and through cooperation with the local people, otherwise it could aggravate the tensions between the center and the region. The government has also faced criticism in the way in which it has been looking at the Northeast as an issue of territorial security rather than development per say. The fear of a growing Chinese influence, as well as, increasing cross-border terrorism (Myanmar, Bangladesh) in the region are some of the factors cited as reasons for limiting India in its attempt to open the region.
State Specific Conflict Profiles
Assam
* A wide variety of ethnic conflicts prevail in the State e.g. agitations against influx of foreigners, perceived inability of the Government to deport them; occasional tensions between religious/linguistic groups and escalating conflicts involving tribal communities who seek local autonomy etc.
National/Extremist Conflicts
* Undivided Assam had the longest history of insurgency. Naga and Mizo insurgencies were the earliest to flare up. Even in the present truncated Assam, there are a number of extremist outfits led by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).
* It has also been argued that there have been several contributing factors for the youth to join the cadres of UL FA such as unemployment, corruption in Government machinery, influx of illegal migrants, dominance of non-Assamese in the business sector, perception of exploitation of Assams natural resources by the Centre and alleged human right violation by the Security Forces
* It became active from the 1980s and till the late 1990s, enjoyed considerable public support due to a perception that insurgency is causing secessions from Assam and that if only the Assamese had launched a violent counter-agitation, the situation would have been different. The average Assamese also regarded the six years of largely non-violent agitation for expulsion of foreigners as having achieved very little success.
* With large scale criminalization of ULFA cadres in the 1990s there was a rapid loss of public support particularly among the urban middle classes. Another factor for its decline was ULFAs known links with the agencies of certain foreign countries with interest in subverting the distinctive culture of the State and in causing unrest in the country.
* It also appears that repeated volte-face by ULFA during several abortive negotiations with the Government, affected its credibility. After the crackdown by the Bhutanese Army, ULFA has not recovered its past strength though the organization tries to make its presence felt through kidnappings, bomb blasts and selective murder of migrant workers. In addition, almost all tribal communities have some armed outfits purportedly safeguarding their interests.
Ethnic Conflict
* The major ethnic conflict in the State is the grievance against the perceived influx of foreigners i.e. people with a language and culture substantially different from the Assamese from across the border (i.e. Bangladesh). The foreigners agitation of 1979-85 brought Assam to the centre stage of attention.
* The problem can be traced to the early years of the last century when the landless from the neighboring overpopulated districts of East Bengal started arriving in the fertile and then substantially fallow Brahmaputra valley. Following communal rioting in East Pakistan in the 1950s and 1960s there were further waves of migration from the minority community of that country.
* The Bodos, a major tribe and among the earliest settlers in the State, initiated a stream of insurgency on the issues of the dispossession of their tribal lands by Bengali and Assamese settlers, as well as neglect of the Bodo language and culture. Kokrajhar and parts of the Goalpara districts are the focus of Bodo discontent. Towards the latter half of the 1980s, the Bodos started demanding a separate State within India
* Still later, growing unemployment, fragmentation of land and the war for the liberation of Bangladesh encouraged a renewed influx even from the majority community. With the fear of being culturally and politically swamped, resentment built up among the Assamese and escalated into one of independent Indias most prolonged and vigorous agitations.
* While both the Union and State Governments have accorded priority to the process of detection
Capacity Building for Conflict Resolution and deportation of illegal migrants (foreigners), the issue continues to simmer with the original inhabitants claiming that for reasons of vote bank politics effective steps are not being taken to deport them while people sharing the religious-linguistic profile of the foreigners claim that they are harassed and unreasonably forced to prove their Indian citizenship.
Arunachal Pradesh:
* The State has remained peaceful after the cease-fire with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) which was active in Tirap District. There was some disquiet with the settlement of relatively more enterprising Chakma refugees from Bangladesh in the State in large numbers which appears to have subsided.
* Growing income disparities and constriction of employment opportunities could be a potential source of conflicts.
Manipur:
* Manipur lies in the midst of hills and valleys and due to its geographical position and natural boundaries access to Manipur is limited. One fourth of Manipur (which is the valley), is home to more than seventy per cent of its population which predominantly consists of the culturally distinct Meitei community.
* The State was ruled as a monarchy (later princely state) by Meitei rulers. The Meitei influence declined in the socio-economic spheres after Independence with the tribals coming into the forefront largely because of reservations. There was also resentment in a section of the Meitei society about the merger of the State with the Indian Union a resentment which led to the Meitei insurgency from the 1960s.There are currently 34 groups and organizations, including non-violent ones, that demand independence from India
* Tribals account for around thirty per cent of the States population and broadly belong to Naga, Kuki-Chin and Mizo groups. There is considerable tension among the tribes over land and boundaries and violence between Nagas and Kukis took a toll of more than 2000 lives during the 1990s.
* The cease-fire between the Union Government and the NSCN has reduced violence in Naga areas but has given rise to fresh tensions as the NSCN insists on a greater Nagalim which would include four Districts of Manipur. This is stoutly resisted by the Meiteis and had caused a very violent agitation in 2001. The assurance to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur has resulted in comparative peace on this score.
* It is reported that today militant organizations are virtually running a parallel government in many districts of Manipur and they are able to influence the decision of the State Government in awarding contracts, supply orders and appointments in government service. It is also reported that militant organizations indulge in widespread extortion and hold courts and dispense justice in their areas of influence
* Since there has not been any significant industrial development in the State, there are no major industries or manufacturing units which could provide employment for the educated youth. The biggest employer continues to be the State not only in Manipur but the entire region. The educated youth has, therefore, to look for employment in far off places like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, etc.
* Since Inner Line Permit (ILP) exists in Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, people of Manipur have made an organization Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies (FREINDS) and theyre demanding Government of India to implement Inner Line Permit system (ILP) in Manipur. In 2012, Manipur State Assembly also passed a resolution urging Government of India, to implement the ILP system to Manipur.
Blockades in Manipur
* An advertisement, published in the leading local newspapers of Imphal which promises an LPG cylinder or Photon (internet data card) free with every Sony Vaio laptop bought, only sums up the situation.
* Manipur faces the LPG crisis due to frequent economic blockade on the National Highways 39 (Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal) and 53 (Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar) . Due to the blockade, trucks had not been able to enter the state and petroleum products had become one of the most priced items not to speak of scarcity of essential items besides its impact on their prices.
Cost of Essential commodities
ItemPost-Blockade(Rs.)Pre-Blockade(Rs.)
LPG cylinder1800415
Petrol12065
Diesel6040
Kerosene5040
Cooking oil10513
Meghalaya:
* The State is fortunately free from violence of the intensity that prevails in many other parts of the region. Except violence against outsiders particularly the Bengali speaking linguistic minority, there have been no major problems in the State. Still some are following concerns
* Increasing clash of interest between the State Government and the Sixth Schedule District Councils the entire State is under that Schedule
* Increasing inter-tribal rivalry
* Emerging tensions about infiltration from Bangladesh particularly in the Garo Hills
Mizoram:
* The State with its history of violent insurgency and its subsequent return to peace is an example to all other violence affected States. Following an accord between the Union Government and the Mizo National Front in 1986 and conferment of statehood the next year, complete peace and harmony prevails in Mizoram.
* The State is recognized as having done a commendable job in the implementation of development programmes and making agriculture remunerative. The only potential areas of conflict are the growing income and assets disparities in a largely egalitarian society and the dissatisfaction of the three small non-Mizo District Councils with the State Government, on account of issues pertaining to identity and reservation as STs.
Nagaland:
* Following the cease-fire with the dominant Muivah-Swu of the NSCN, the State is virtually free from overt violent unrest although it is the original hot spot of insurgency. The minority Khaplang faction who does not approve of the cease-fire has also, on the whole, remained peaceful.
* Still some are following concerns
* The lingering issue of a final political settlement including the demand for greater Nagaland or Nagalim which has already noted is causing disquiet in the neighboring areas, particularly Manipur.
* Growing competition over the limited resources of the State and the problem of unemployment of the educated youth.
Tripura:
* The States demographic profile was altered since 1947 when mass migrations from the newly emerged East Pakistan converted it from a largely tribal area to one with a majority of Bengali. Tribals were deprived of their agricultural lands at throw-away prices and driven to the forests.
* The resultant tensions caused major violence and widespread terror with the tribal dominated Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) emerging as one of the most violent extremist outfits in the North East. Proximity to Mizoram exposed the State to the side effects of that insurgency.
* However, effective decentralization in the non-scheduled areas, bringing tribal areas within the purview of an autonomous Sixth Schedule Council, successful land reforms and systematic promotion of agriculture have contributed to considerable conflict reduction.
* The changing religious composition of tribal groups (particularly, the Jamatiyas) is giving rise to newer tensions with apprehension of increased inter-tribal conflicts. While the tribal non-tribal clashes are on the decline, there is growing resentment among the tribals due to the restrictions on their freedom to use the forests and their nominal participation in district development.
* Despite impressive strides made by the State in the last decade, the fact remains that the virtual embargo on trans-border movement of goods, and services to Bangladesh from Tripura have impeded the tempo of economic growth of the State. The Ministry of External Affairs should take up this Tripura specific issue during bilateral negotiations for increased economic cooperation with Bangladesh.
Sikkim:
* The State has not only done well in the sphere of development through decentralized planning but the constitutional mandate of striking a balance between the various ethnic groups (mainly the Lepchas, Bhutiyas and Nepalis) has also prevented emergence of major conflicts.
Modes of Conflict Resolution
* The modes of conflict resolution in the North East have been through following
* Security forces/ police action
* More local autonomy through mechanisms such as conferment of Statehood, the Sixth Schedule, Article 371 C of the Constitution in case of Manipur and through tribe specific accords in Assam etc.
* negotiations with insurgent outfits
* development activities including special economic packages
* The conflict prevention and resolution in the North East would require a judicious mix of various approaches strengthened by the experience of successes and failures of the past.
* Some Report recommends that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 may be repealed in the North East with some of its provisions incorporated in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 to enable the Security Forces to have operational freedom consistent with human rights concerns. There are many other recommendations pertaining to Police reforms and toning up the local intelligence set up etc that would also apply to the situation in the North East.
* The other mode of conflict resolution is the developmental approach. This approach embodies the thinking that if institutions of development are created in the region and plan outlays substantially increased, the problems of politics, society, ethnic strife, militant assertion and of integration will get minimized
Political Paradigm
* The realization that the people of the North East needed special support to have their voice heard in a large polity with which they had little contact was evident since Independence itself. While there is always room for creative political solutions of the perennial problems of the region through building of consensus and continually enlarging the scope of democratization, it is doubtful if the political paradigm admits further radical innovations. There is a case for now working towards making the existing political instrumentalities realize their potential for the growth and well being of this important part of our country.
* At the political level, therefore, what is now required is the strengthening of the rule of law and constitutional politics, the authority and legitimacy of the democratically elected State and local governments. This would satisfy the need for introducing accountability and democratic practice into the conflict resolution machinery in the North East
* It would also involve an enhanced role for the legislatures, State administration and elected local governments in the region. Recent developments such as the establishment of elected village councils in the Sixth Schedule areas in Tripura, the successful initiative of elected VEC and AEC in Meghalaya to implement the NREGA, the effective involvement of the largely elected Village Area Development Committees in Nagaland and the initiation of communalization are all testimony of how democratic processes in village governance and development can yield positive results.
* This would call for bringing elements of democratic processes in local governance and development in the North East. In particular, there is need for introducing village self-governance in the Sixth Schedule areas (as appropriate to the specific conditions in each State), strengthening and providing resources to the autonomous councils to carry out their assigned executive responsibilities and for making suitable changes in respect of the tribal areas outside the Sixth Schedule and the tribe-specific Councils of Assam.
* It would also require revamping of the existing system of delivery of public services by entrusting this responsibility to the local bodies
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Info:-
Prithvirajsinh Zala
References:-
* http://www.thehindu.com
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
* http://www.easternpanorama.in
* http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
* Seven states from Indias Northeast includes Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura well known as Seven sisters and Sikkim(a state of Indian union in 1975,became a member of the regional North Eastern council in 2003.Hence became a eighth Northeastern state ) are the locations of the earliest and longest insurgency in the country
* These states cover a combined area around 7.7% of the countrys territory and around 3.74% of national population
* This northeast region is poorly connected to the Indian mainland by a small corridor Silliguri corridor (known as Chickens neck)and it is home to numerous diverse communities and located strategically with borders with other countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh, Tibet/ China and Myanmar which created conflicts several times that is danger for Indias democracy
* In addition of insurgencies in the states, there are conflicts and confrontations over land use and control, issues of language, identity formation, demographic change and minority-majority problems
* At the commencement of the constitution, the present states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram constituted a district each of Assam, whereas Arunachal Pradesh, then NEFA (North-East Frontier Association),consisted of several frontier tracts administered by the Governor of Assam was therefore, to be a part of that state. The states of Manipur and Tripura were princely states which after merger with India in 1948 became Union territories.
* State of Nagaland(1963), Meghalaya(1972),conferring first , status of Union territory(1972) and subsequently statehood(1987) to Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram and elevation of Manipur and Tripura from Union territories to States in 1972
* Following the large scale reorganization of the region in 1972,a regional body, the North Eastern Council(NEC) was set up to provide a forum for inter-state coordination, regional planning and integrated development of the region to avoid intra-regional disparities
Historical reason for conflicts
* The historical connections among the traditional tribes in the Northeast are mainly of Tibetan, Barman and Mongoloid stock and closer to Southeast Asia than to South Asia. It is ethnically, linguistically and culturally very distinct from the other states of India
* Though cultural and ethnic diversity per say are not causes for conflict, but one of the major problem areas is that Northeast is territorially organized in such a manner that ethnic and cultural specificities were ignored during the process of outlining of state boundaries in the 1950s, giving rise to dissatisfaction of ones identity
* The colonial rulers took nearly a century to annex the entire region and administered the hill as a loose frontier area as a result the large parts of the northeastern hill areas never came in touch with the principle of a central administration before. Hence, their loyalty to the newly formed states was lacking from the beginning which meant the loss of a major chunk of the physical connection between mainland and Northeast.
* Interestingly, 99% of the Northeasts boundaries is international and only 1% is domestic boundary
Typology of Conflicts
* Conflicts in the Northeast region from insurgency for secession to insurgency for autonomy, from sponsored terrorism to ethnic clashes to conflicts generated as a result of continuous inflow of migrants from across the borders as well as from other States. Conflicts in the region can be broadly grouped under the following categories:
* National conflicts: Involving concept of a distinct homeland as a separate nation and pursuit of the realization of that goal by its votaries
* Ethnic conflicts: Involving assertion of numerically smaller and less dominant tribal groups against the political and cultural hold of the dominant tribal group. In Assam this also takes the form of tension between local and migrant communities.
* Sub-regional conflicts: Involving movements which ask for recognition of sub-regional aspirations and often come in direct conflict with the State Governments or even the autonomous Councils.
Issues of governance
* The Indian governments past and ongoing processes of national integration, state-building and democratic consolidationhave further aggravated the conflict scenario in the region. For instance, the eight states comprising the Northeast is populated by nearly 40 million inhabitants who vary in language, race, tribe, caste, religion, and regional heritage. Therefore, most often, the clubbing of all these states under the tag of northeast has tended to have a homogenizing effect with its own set of implications for policy formulation and implementation; not to mention local unwillingness to such a construct
* The politico-administrative arrangements made by the Centre have also been lacking. For instance, the introduction of the Sixth Schedule Autonomous Councils (currently there are ten such Councils in the region and many more demanding such status) ended up creating multiple power centers instead of bringing in a genuine process of democratization or autonomy in the region
* The AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act) for instance, shows the inability and reluctance of the government to solve the conflict with adequate political measures. The AFSPA was passed on 18 August, 1958, as a short-term measure to allow deployment of the army to counter an armed separatist movement in the Naga Hills, has been in place for the last five decades and was extended to all the seven states of the Northeast region in 1972 (with the exception of Mizoram).
* It was part of a bundle of provisions, passed by the central government, to retain control over the Naga areas, in which the Naga National Council (NNC) demanded further autonomous rights. The AFSPA became a powerful measure for the central and the state government to act against actors challenging the political and territorial integrity of India.
* As a result, the Indian army for the first time since its independence was deployed to manage an internal conflict. But, instead of resolving the problem, it led to an ongoing escalation of the conflict by bringing it on a military level.The regular violations of human rights has led to a radicalization and militarization of the region and weakened also the supporters of a political solution. A fact-finding commission, appointed by the government in 2004, complained that the AFSPA has become a symbol of oppression, an object of hate and an instrument of discrimination and highhandedness.
* Though the conflict in the region is mired with complex political-economic issues, such as, struggle over natural resources, migration related issues, displacement, social exclusion it is mainly the politics of identity lie at the heart of the bigger part of the current conflict constellations in the Northeast
Foreign Policy imperative
* Indias look east policy which was formulated in 1991 on the heels of Indias economic liberalization, was a foreign economic policy initiative towards South East Asia. The Northeast which is geographically situated between mainland India and Southeast Asia is supposed to have had immense developmental benefits as a result of this initiative and hence, have synergy effects on reducing poverty in the region; as well as on insurgency and armed conflict.
* The regions diverse natural resources, rich bio-diversity and enormous hydro-electricity potential, among others, could also help to overcome the widespread feeling of backwardness among the inhabitants of the Northeast
* But there is also increasing argument made that the impact of increased introduction of market imperatives in the traditional society of the region would have irreversible impact on the peoples culture and life and it would also lead to increased settlement of mainland people to the northeast
* Thereby it is of high importance, that the announced opening will take place in a regulated frame and through cooperation with the local people, otherwise it could aggravate the tensions between the center and the region. The government has also faced criticism in the way in which it has been looking at the Northeast as an issue of territorial security rather than development per say. The fear of a growing Chinese influence, as well as, increasing cross-border terrorism (Myanmar, Bangladesh) in the region are some of the factors cited as reasons for limiting India in its attempt to open the region.
State Specific Conflict Profiles
Assam
* A wide variety of ethnic conflicts prevail in the State e.g. agitations against influx of foreigners, perceived inability of the Government to deport them; occasional tensions between religious/linguistic groups and escalating conflicts involving tribal communities who seek local autonomy etc.
National/Extremist Conflicts
* Undivided Assam had the longest history of insurgency. Naga and Mizo insurgencies were the earliest to flare up. Even in the present truncated Assam, there are a number of extremist outfits led by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).
* It has also been argued that there have been several contributing factors for the youth to join the cadres of UL FA such as unemployment, corruption in Government machinery, influx of illegal migrants, dominance of non-Assamese in the business sector, perception of exploitation of Assams natural resources by the Centre and alleged human right violation by the Security Forces
* It became active from the 1980s and till the late 1990s, enjoyed considerable public support due to a perception that insurgency is causing secessions from Assam and that if only the Assamese had launched a violent counter-agitation, the situation would have been different. The average Assamese also regarded the six years of largely non-violent agitation for expulsion of foreigners as having achieved very little success.
* With large scale criminalization of ULFA cadres in the 1990s there was a rapid loss of public support particularly among the urban middle classes. Another factor for its decline was ULFAs known links with the agencies of certain foreign countries with interest in subverting the distinctive culture of the State and in causing unrest in the country.
* It also appears that repeated volte-face by ULFA during several abortive negotiations with the Government, affected its credibility. After the crackdown by the Bhutanese Army, ULFA has not recovered its past strength though the organization tries to make its presence felt through kidnappings, bomb blasts and selective murder of migrant workers. In addition, almost all tribal communities have some armed outfits purportedly safeguarding their interests.
Ethnic Conflict
* The major ethnic conflict in the State is the grievance against the perceived influx of foreigners i.e. people with a language and culture substantially different from the Assamese from across the border (i.e. Bangladesh). The foreigners agitation of 1979-85 brought Assam to the centre stage of attention.
* The problem can be traced to the early years of the last century when the landless from the neighboring overpopulated districts of East Bengal started arriving in the fertile and then substantially fallow Brahmaputra valley. Following communal rioting in East Pakistan in the 1950s and 1960s there were further waves of migration from the minority community of that country.
* The Bodos, a major tribe and among the earliest settlers in the State, initiated a stream of insurgency on the issues of the dispossession of their tribal lands by Bengali and Assamese settlers, as well as neglect of the Bodo language and culture. Kokrajhar and parts of the Goalpara districts are the focus of Bodo discontent. Towards the latter half of the 1980s, the Bodos started demanding a separate State within India
* Still later, growing unemployment, fragmentation of land and the war for the liberation of Bangladesh encouraged a renewed influx even from the majority community. With the fear of being culturally and politically swamped, resentment built up among the Assamese and escalated into one of independent Indias most prolonged and vigorous agitations.
* While both the Union and State Governments have accorded priority to the process of detection
Capacity Building for Conflict Resolution and deportation of illegal migrants (foreigners), the issue continues to simmer with the original inhabitants claiming that for reasons of vote bank politics effective steps are not being taken to deport them while people sharing the religious-linguistic profile of the foreigners claim that they are harassed and unreasonably forced to prove their Indian citizenship.
Arunachal Pradesh:
* The State has remained peaceful after the cease-fire with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) which was active in Tirap District. There was some disquiet with the settlement of relatively more enterprising Chakma refugees from Bangladesh in the State in large numbers which appears to have subsided.
* Growing income disparities and constriction of employment opportunities could be a potential source of conflicts.
Manipur:
* Manipur lies in the midst of hills and valleys and due to its geographical position and natural boundaries access to Manipur is limited. One fourth of Manipur (which is the valley), is home to more than seventy per cent of its population which predominantly consists of the culturally distinct Meitei community.
* The State was ruled as a monarchy (later princely state) by Meitei rulers. The Meitei influence declined in the socio-economic spheres after Independence with the tribals coming into the forefront largely because of reservations. There was also resentment in a section of the Meitei society about the merger of the State with the Indian Union a resentment which led to the Meitei insurgency from the 1960s.There are currently 34 groups and organizations, including non-violent ones, that demand independence from India
* Tribals account for around thirty per cent of the States population and broadly belong to Naga, Kuki-Chin and Mizo groups. There is considerable tension among the tribes over land and boundaries and violence between Nagas and Kukis took a toll of more than 2000 lives during the 1990s.
* The cease-fire between the Union Government and the NSCN has reduced violence in Naga areas but has given rise to fresh tensions as the NSCN insists on a greater Nagalim which would include four Districts of Manipur. This is stoutly resisted by the Meiteis and had caused a very violent agitation in 2001. The assurance to safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur has resulted in comparative peace on this score.
* It is reported that today militant organizations are virtually running a parallel government in many districts of Manipur and they are able to influence the decision of the State Government in awarding contracts, supply orders and appointments in government service. It is also reported that militant organizations indulge in widespread extortion and hold courts and dispense justice in their areas of influence
* Since there has not been any significant industrial development in the State, there are no major industries or manufacturing units which could provide employment for the educated youth. The biggest employer continues to be the State not only in Manipur but the entire region. The educated youth has, therefore, to look for employment in far off places like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore, etc.
* Since Inner Line Permit (ILP) exists in Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, people of Manipur have made an organization Federation of Regional Indigenous Societies (FREINDS) and theyre demanding Government of India to implement Inner Line Permit system (ILP) in Manipur. In 2012, Manipur State Assembly also passed a resolution urging Government of India, to implement the ILP system to Manipur.
Blockades in Manipur
* An advertisement, published in the leading local newspapers of Imphal which promises an LPG cylinder or Photon (internet data card) free with every Sony Vaio laptop bought, only sums up the situation.
* Manipur faces the LPG crisis due to frequent economic blockade on the National Highways 39 (Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal) and 53 (Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar) . Due to the blockade, trucks had not been able to enter the state and petroleum products had become one of the most priced items not to speak of scarcity of essential items besides its impact on their prices.
Cost of Essential commodities
ItemPost-Blockade(Rs.)Pre-Blockade(Rs.)
LPG cylinder1800415
Petrol12065
Diesel6040
Kerosene5040
Cooking oil10513
Meghalaya:
* The State is fortunately free from violence of the intensity that prevails in many other parts of the region. Except violence against outsiders particularly the Bengali speaking linguistic minority, there have been no major problems in the State. Still some are following concerns
* Increasing clash of interest between the State Government and the Sixth Schedule District Councils the entire State is under that Schedule
* Increasing inter-tribal rivalry
* Emerging tensions about infiltration from Bangladesh particularly in the Garo Hills
Mizoram:
* The State with its history of violent insurgency and its subsequent return to peace is an example to all other violence affected States. Following an accord between the Union Government and the Mizo National Front in 1986 and conferment of statehood the next year, complete peace and harmony prevails in Mizoram.
* The State is recognized as having done a commendable job in the implementation of development programmes and making agriculture remunerative. The only potential areas of conflict are the growing income and assets disparities in a largely egalitarian society and the dissatisfaction of the three small non-Mizo District Councils with the State Government, on account of issues pertaining to identity and reservation as STs.
Nagaland:
* Following the cease-fire with the dominant Muivah-Swu of the NSCN, the State is virtually free from overt violent unrest although it is the original hot spot of insurgency. The minority Khaplang faction who does not approve of the cease-fire has also, on the whole, remained peaceful.
* Still some are following concerns
* The lingering issue of a final political settlement including the demand for greater Nagaland or Nagalim which has already noted is causing disquiet in the neighboring areas, particularly Manipur.
* Growing competition over the limited resources of the State and the problem of unemployment of the educated youth.
Tripura:
* The States demographic profile was altered since 1947 when mass migrations from the newly emerged East Pakistan converted it from a largely tribal area to one with a majority of Bengali. Tribals were deprived of their agricultural lands at throw-away prices and driven to the forests.
* The resultant tensions caused major violence and widespread terror with the tribal dominated Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) emerging as one of the most violent extremist outfits in the North East. Proximity to Mizoram exposed the State to the side effects of that insurgency.
* However, effective decentralization in the non-scheduled areas, bringing tribal areas within the purview of an autonomous Sixth Schedule Council, successful land reforms and systematic promotion of agriculture have contributed to considerable conflict reduction.
* The changing religious composition of tribal groups (particularly, the Jamatiyas) is giving rise to newer tensions with apprehension of increased inter-tribal conflicts. While the tribal non-tribal clashes are on the decline, there is growing resentment among the tribals due to the restrictions on their freedom to use the forests and their nominal participation in district development.
* Despite impressive strides made by the State in the last decade, the fact remains that the virtual embargo on trans-border movement of goods, and services to Bangladesh from Tripura have impeded the tempo of economic growth of the State. The Ministry of External Affairs should take up this Tripura specific issue during bilateral negotiations for increased economic cooperation with Bangladesh.
Sikkim:
* The State has not only done well in the sphere of development through decentralized planning but the constitutional mandate of striking a balance between the various ethnic groups (mainly the Lepchas, Bhutiyas and Nepalis) has also prevented emergence of major conflicts.
Modes of Conflict Resolution
* The modes of conflict resolution in the North East have been through following
* Security forces/ police action
* More local autonomy through mechanisms such as conferment of Statehood, the Sixth Schedule, Article 371 C of the Constitution in case of Manipur and through tribe specific accords in Assam etc.
* negotiations with insurgent outfits
* development activities including special economic packages
* The conflict prevention and resolution in the North East would require a judicious mix of various approaches strengthened by the experience of successes and failures of the past.
* Some Report recommends that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 may be repealed in the North East with some of its provisions incorporated in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 to enable the Security Forces to have operational freedom consistent with human rights concerns. There are many other recommendations pertaining to Police reforms and toning up the local intelligence set up etc that would also apply to the situation in the North East.
* The other mode of conflict resolution is the developmental approach. This approach embodies the thinking that if institutions of development are created in the region and plan outlays substantially increased, the problems of politics, society, ethnic strife, militant assertion and of integration will get minimized
Political Paradigm
* The realization that the people of the North East needed special support to have their voice heard in a large polity with which they had little contact was evident since Independence itself. While there is always room for creative political solutions of the perennial problems of the region through building of consensus and continually enlarging the scope of democratization, it is doubtful if the political paradigm admits further radical innovations. There is a case for now working towards making the existing political instrumentalities realize their potential for the growth and well being of this important part of our country.
* At the political level, therefore, what is now required is the strengthening of the rule of law and constitutional politics, the authority and legitimacy of the democratically elected State and local governments. This would satisfy the need for introducing accountability and democratic practice into the conflict resolution machinery in the North East
* It would also involve an enhanced role for the legislatures, State administration and elected local governments in the region. Recent developments such as the establishment of elected village councils in the Sixth Schedule areas in Tripura, the successful initiative of elected VEC and AEC in Meghalaya to implement the NREGA, the effective involvement of the largely elected Village Area Development Committees in Nagaland and the initiation of communalization are all testimony of how democratic processes in village governance and development can yield positive results.
* This would call for bringing elements of democratic processes in local governance and development in the North East. In particular, there is need for introducing village self-governance in the Sixth Schedule areas (as appropriate to the specific conditions in each State), strengthening and providing resources to the autonomous councils to carry out their assigned executive responsibilities and for making suitable changes in respect of the tribal areas outside the Sixth Schedule and the tribe-specific Councils of Assam.
* It would also require revamping of the existing system of delivery of public services by entrusting this responsibility to the local bodies
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Info:-
Prithvirajsinh Zala
References:-
* http://www.thehindu.com
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
* http://www.easternpanorama.in
* http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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