"The problems of North East have been a complex combination of conflict in nationalism, bargaining for autonomy, tribal matters, issues of illegal immigration and various socioeconomic problems."Explain.

Model Answer:
North Eastern states of India have been plagued by the separatist tendencies right since independence. The reason lies in several armed as well as unarmed outfits with complex links with external state and non-state actors, illicit economies and electoral politics, which have been active in these regions. While some of them demand greater autonomy within the framework of Indian Constitution, others insist on complete independence from India. For example- in Assam while an organization ULFA demands to establish a sovereign state of Assam; the organization such as NDBF demand was to establish an autonomous region for Bodos and Kamtapur Liberation Organization demands separate Kamtapur State. Similary, in Arunachal Pradesh an organization called National Liberation Council of Taniland (NLCT) demand for a Tani Land for Tani tribes. In Manipur the problem is due to Skirmishes between Nagas and Kukis tribes in that region. In Nagaland, NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) are two groups active in the state. In Tripura the reason behind insurgency is the conflict arisen due to illegal Bangladeshi infiltration in the state. The immigrants have outnumbered the native tribal population and created troubles for them. In Meghalaya demand is for ‘sovereign Garoland’ and “Khasiland” by Garo and Khasi tribe of the region.In Mizoram though the insurgency has almost ended by 1986 Mizo Accord, but still there are few demand from Hmars, chakmas and Brus people in the region. Thus, we see that the problems of North East have been a complex combination of conflict in nationalism, bargaining for autonomy, tribal matters, issues of illegal immigration and various socio-economic problems.

Topics: GS-II: Mechanisms Laws for Protection of Vulnerable Sections