High-level meeting on security situation in Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh

A high-level meeting was recently convened to review and strengthen the security situation in the northeastern states of Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, focusing particularly on the border areas where these states converge. The meeting was aimed at assessing the current internal security landscape, improving inter-state coordination, and enhancing the operational effectiveness of law enforcement and armed forces in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Background and Context

The northeastern region of India has long held strategic importance due to its geographical location, international borders, and diverse socio-political dynamics. Over the years, parts of Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh have witnessed periodic insurgent activity, ethnic tensions, and cross-border movement of armed groups. Although the security situation has significantly improved in recent years, sporadic incidents of violence and infiltration continue to pose challenges.
The meeting was organised as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to consolidate peace and ensure coordinated security mechanisms among the northeastern states. Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), state governments, Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and the state police forces of the three states participated in the discussions.

Objectives of the Meeting

The high-level meeting was convened with the following objectives:

• To review the prevailing security situation across sensitive districts along the Assam–Nagaland–Arunachal Pradesh borders.
• To strengthen coordination and intelligence sharing between security forces and state police units operating in the region.
• To evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in areas still declared as “disturbed.”
• To identify measures for preventing insurgent movement, cross-border arms smuggling, and illegal activities.
• To ensure greater synergy between civil and military authorities in managing internal security and maintaining law and order.

Key Discussions and Deliberations

During the meeting, senior officials and security commanders presented detailed briefings on the current threat assessment, recent operational successes, and ongoing counter-insurgency measures. Emphasis was placed on:

• Joint Operations: Enhancing the frequency of coordinated patrols and joint operations between the Army, Assam Rifles, and state police forces.
• Information Exchange: Establishing a robust and real-time information-sharing framework to detect and intercept potential threats promptly.
• Monitoring Border Movements: Tightening vigilance along inter-state and international borders to curb infiltration by insurgent elements and prevent the smuggling of arms and narcotics.
• Civic Engagement: Promoting community cooperation and trust-building initiatives to gather local intelligence and discourage support for insurgent groups.
• Development and Governance: Discussing the role of socio-economic development in reducing insurgency influence, with particular focus on road connectivity, employment, and welfare schemes in border districts.

Importance of the Region

The tri-junction area where Assam, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh meet has been historically sensitive due to its terrain, porous borders, and the presence of multiple ethnic communities. It also lies close to the Indo-Myanmar international boundary, which has often been used by insurgent groups as a corridor for movement and logistics.
The meeting underscored the need for enhanced vigilance in frontier regions, where security vulnerabilities often intersect with socio-economic challenges. The leadership acknowledged the remarkable decline in militant activity over the past decade but stressed that sustained vigilance and coordination remain vital to maintaining peace.

Key Outcomes

The high-level meeting resulted in several concrete decisions and reaffirmed commitments:

1. Integrated Security Approach: A consensus was reached on adopting a unified command structure to ensure better coordination between the armed forces, central paramilitary units, and state police.
2. Regular Joint Reviews: It was decided that periodic review meetings would be held at district and state levels to assess the evolving situation and ensure timely responses.
3. Enhanced Surveillance: Authorities resolved to strengthen surveillance infrastructure, including the use of advanced technology such as drones and communication monitoring systems.
4. AFSPA Review: The states and central authorities discussed a phased review of AFSPA in areas that have shown sustained peace, while retaining it in sensitive zones.
5. Community-Oriented Policing: Greater focus was placed on civic outreach programmes to build public confidence and prevent youth from joining extremist movements.

Challenges Discussed

The meeting also acknowledged ongoing challenges that require long-term attention:

• Infiltration and Cross-Border Movement: Persistent threats from insurgents attempting to exploit porous terrain between India and Myanmar.
• Jurisdictional Complexity: Operational challenges arising from overlapping administrative boundaries and differing legal frameworks across the three states.
• Difficult Terrain: Forested and mountainous regions continue to hinder logistics and movement of security forces.
• Sustaining Peace Accords: Ensuring implementation of peace agreements and rehabilitation of surrendered insurgents through livelihood programmes.

Way Forward

The participating officials agreed on a comprehensive plan of action to consolidate the peace achieved so far and prevent any resurgence of militancy:

• Conducting regular joint training and coordination exercises among state police and central forces.
• Strengthening the local intelligence network through community participation.
• Improving infrastructure and connectivity in border areas to facilitate governance and economic activity.
• Encouraging dialogue and reconciliation in areas where inter-ethnic tensions persist.
• Continuing to focus on development-oriented security—a model that combines law enforcement with welfare initiatives.

Significance

The high-level meeting reflects the government’s proactive and integrated approach to ensuring long-term peace and stability in the northeastern region. By aligning the efforts of multiple agencies and state governments, it seeks to move from a reactive model of conflict management to a preventive and developmental one.