Problems in the North-eastern Regions

Problems in the North-Eastern Regions

The regional aspirations of the North-East gained significant attention in the 1980s, following a series of changes since 1947. Princely states such as Manipur, Tripura, and the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya had merged with India after independence. The entire Northeast underwent numerous political reorganizations, each reshaping the region’s identity.

The partition of India had a major impact on the North-East, turning it into a landlocked region that suffered economically. This geographical isolation from mainstream India contributed to the region’s underdevelopment across various sectors.

Nagaland was formed as a state in 1960, followed by Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura in 1972, while Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram became separate states in 1987.

The region’s isolation, compounded by its complex social fabric consisting of diverse ethnic tribes and cultures coupled with a lack of development and weak communication links with the rest of India, contributed to rising discontent. This strained relationship between the region and the center led to demands for autonomy, secessionist movements, and resistance to outsiders.

In response to these challenges, and following the large- scale reorganization of the region in 1972, the North- Eastern Council (NEC) was established. The NEC aimed to facilitate inter-state coordination, regional planning, and integrated development to address intra-regional disparities and promote unity within the region.

Different demands emanating from different parts of the North-East Region:

Demands for autonomy

After the independence, except Manipur and Tripura,

the entire northeast region comprised the state of Assam. Due to the presence of different cultures and tribes, non- Assamese felt alienated from the Assamese and Bengali residents of the plain.

In addition to this, the Assam Government imposed the Assamese language on them. These non-Assamese people protested against this move violently, tribal leaders started demanding separation from Assam. To consolidate their voice for the separation, the tribal leaders formed the Eastern Indian Tribal Union which later transformed into a comprehensive All-Party Hill Leaders Conference in 1960. Their demands were fulfilled later and several states were carved out of one Assam.

However, the fulfilment of these demands couldn’t stop aspirations of a separate state among some tribes like Bodos, Karbi and Dimasas. They mobilised public opinion through popular movements and insurgency. It was not possible for the centre to fulfil all the regional aspirations, and create smaller and smaller states. So, the centre devised some other alternative to fix this demand, such as the granting of an Autonomous District for such tribes.