Integrating the
Seven Sisters
Brig. Amrit Kapur
VSM
The
ravishingly beautiful and picturesque
landmass of our country, which adorns the mantle of the
northeastern states, may distance wise be even less than Chennai
or
Trivandrum
is from
New Delhi
, yet it
remains emotionally detached from the rest of
India
. The reasons
are more than intriguing. The
perceived distance has more to do with the mindset of the
average Indian rather than the actual physical distance.
For
a plethora of reasons, perceived or otherwise, peace and
normalcy remain elusive. Terrorism
and insurgency have yet to recede fully although life continues
as if normal. Not that it is normal by any standards but
whatever the ground realities, life does go on. Probably in
concert with the worldwide phenomenon of rising aspirations of
human beings, Human Rights and civilised societal ways have
taken a front seat and their denial or absence creates upheaval
and discord.
Northeastern
India
continues to
be in the grip of terrorism and insurgency for the last 50
years. The intensity, type, and level are different in different
states. The time has now come for an absolute integration of
this region with the rest of
India
. The
Government has made concerted efforts to address the problems at
different levels and the efforts have already started showing
results. Due to these efforts, the ties and links with the rest
of
India
are growing
every day. It would be unwise to assume that the Northeast is
being neglected in any way. This has been made possible through
a multi-prong approach. The problem has been tackled militarily
up to the extent that it was required and also, politically,
economically and socially. The resultant effect is amply
manifest in an attitudinal shift, which is a positive deviation
from the response hitherto. The great people of this region have
understood that their future rightly rests with
India
. For this
paradigm shift in the outlook of the people, one of the main
reasons is
India
’s growing
prowess - economically, militarily and socially. The
people have realized the futility of continuing with a struggle,
which has lost direction and has misplaced aims and objectives.
Electronic and print media have made them realize that despite
their vast potential they are depriving themselves of
opportunities, which can bring about a sea change in their
economy and lifestyles. Wisdom has dawned that these seven
sisters were always an integral part of
India
and will
remain so for eternity. Today, one finds people from the
Northeast in appreciable numbers in all parts of the country, in
every walk of life to include trade, government organizations,
IT, media and defense. The numbers are increasing every day. As
a matter of fact, integration is almost complete notwithstanding
traces of discontent and discord. It is a known phenomenon that
insurgency may be completely eradicated but can never touch the
x-axis. In other words, it can never be brought to zero.
How
did we achieve this stupendous task? There is a need for every
Indian to know and to be proud of the fact that our sovereignty
over this region stands vindicated notwithstanding a slow and
steady pace with spikes of violence in
between periods of peace, stability and prosperity.
Before
we try to understand the genesis of the insurgency in the
northeastern states known as the Seven Sisters, it would be
prudent to identify the reason and causes which engulfed the
proud people of this region in a human conflict resulting in
self denials. Some call it exploitation of the have nots and a
tampering with ethnicity. These are not the only reasons. These
are certain irreversible causes, which have historical and
geographical perspectives. In addition, political, economic,
social, ethnic, and cultural reasons give a fillip to existing
inadequacies, encouraging a movement to start and grow.
Partition
further accentuated the problem. A psychological and a physical
barrier was created. The creation of
East Pakistan
deprived the
region of geographical contiguity with the rest of
India
. North East
India had a land link only through the Siliguri corridor, 200 km
long and 21 to 65 km wide. All our communication lines pass
through this corridor. The only
port
of
Chittagong
which
hitherto serviced the entire Northeast also fell prey to the
misdeeds of partition. The entire region had become virtually
landlocked. The lifeline of the Northeast states was now
extended to over 1,600 km. Earlier, the distance between
Calcutta
and Agartala
(Tripura) was a little over 400 km – this is one single factor
that has very seriously affected the economy.
Typical
of the British policy of divide and rule, this was yet another
master stroke by them. This time a divide was created by placing
a physical landmass,
East Pakistan
(now
Bangladesh
), between
the people of
India
and the
people of the Northeast. Compounding the problem further,
British inner line policy created a rift between the people from
the hills and the plains. The mistrust so created, fuelled
discontent and human conflict. This coupled with mountainous
jungle terrain and an unprotected International Border (IB) gave
an ideal ground for insurgents to carry out their nefarious
activities with impunity.
Thus,
it would be seen that relative geographical location is one of
the main causes of this unrest and instability. This region is
surrounded on three sides by foreign countries –
Bangladesh
from the
south and west,
China
(
Tibet
) and
Bhutan
from the
north and
Myanmar
from the
east.
The
4,960 km long IB constitutes 99 per cent of the periphery of
these states. One of the main reasons for any insurgency to be
successful is to have ‘External Support’, and this is an
ideally situated region for the purpose. This aspect was fully
exploited by
China
in the
‘50s through the ‘60s. Even now,
China
is adopting
a typical Mao Tse Tung style ‘Indirect Approach’. They have
used the indirect approach remarkably well to keep us engaged on
more than one front. As a matter of fact they have already
achieved partial encirclement. We are fully engaged with
Pakistan
on our west.
In the north the Maoist movement has created enough instability.
The relevance of
Nepal
to the
Northeastern states has increased over the recent years due to
the recent upsurge in Maoist activities, the emergence of the
Kamtapur movement in the Siliguri Corridor and the increased
activities of the ISI in
Nepal
. The 1,800
km Indo-Nepal porous border is being extensively used by the ISI
intelligence operations - this border needs to be sanitized.
The
Maoist movement has not only threatened our states of Uttranchal,
UP and
Bihar
with
instability but has presented an opportunity for a ‘Red
Corridor’, cutting through the states of UP, Chattisgarh / MP,
Telangana (AP) to Kerala. Due to political instability, caste
wars, and feudalism,
Bihar
- north of the
Ganges
- is an
ideal ground for insurgency or naxalism to grow.
To
the southwest of the Northeastern states,
Bangladesh
has been
propped up as yet another ‘Terrorism Support and Export
Centre’ patterned after
Pakistan
.
Bangladesh
is believed
to have 145 training camps of terrorist groups belonging to some
of the Seven Sisters States on its soil, which is an ominous
development. Their intentions are suspect and very evident from
the fact that they have a serious objection to our fencing of
the IB. Meghalaya, Cachar (
South Assam
) and Tripura have an IB with
Bangladesh
with the
terrain and people being most inhospitable and hostile. The
cruelty and barbarism practiced by
Bangladesh
has few
parallels. This, however, should not deter us from countering
this menace.
Tripura
is yet another very vulnerable state. 7/8th of Tripura’s
boundary abuts
Bangladesh
and 1/8th with
Cachar (
South Assam
). Due to
unfortunate geographical circumstances, its security
considerations should never be neglected, delayed, postponed or
pushed under the carpet.
Arunachal
has an IB with
Tibet
and
Myanmar
. Nagaland
and Mizoram have an IB with
Myanmar
. Apparently,
we have no problems with
Tibet
but
China
refuses to
recognise the McMahon Line, so the stalemate continues. Also,
critical differences remain over the 90,000 sq km area of
Arunachal Pradesh, though after death of Mao Tse Tung the
Chinese involvement and support to militant groups has
considerably reduced. In any case, Arunachal is not known to
have any effective indigenous insurgent group, although the
people of Arunachal Pradesh are vulnerable to exploitation by
NSCN groups using the lower slopes as safe havens.
Myanmar
has always
been a friend to
India
but
unfortunately, the writ of Burmese
insurgent groups runs in the region bordering the Indian
states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The
terrain is ideally suited for infiltration and exfiltration by
insurgent groups. We have the best of relations with the Burmese
Army. Arunachal, more or less, kept itself away from any type of
insurgency movement but any form of political machination can
push this state also towards extremism.
Northwest
Assam
has a common
border with
Bhutan
, which
is a landlocked country. It also has border with
Tibet
. Presently,
we have the best of relations with
Bhutan
. Joint
operations against the ULFA and other insurgent groups located
in
Southern
Bhutan
are a
testimony of regional cooperation against terrorism.
Sikkim
,
Bhutan
and
Arunachal Pradesh have an IB with
Tibet
(
China
). The
development of a most modern infrastructure (roads and other
allied facilities) in
Tibet
by
China
, although
good for
Tibet
, could be a
cause of concern to us.
China
has
developed a road network right up to the IB and we are still far
behind. We have got to develop these areas on priority.
Mizoram
has an IB with
Myanmar
and
Bangladesh
. It had the
fiercest insurgency in this region under the militant leader,
Laldenga, who later on became the first Chief Minister of
Mizoram. Mizoram has been the most pragmatic state of our
country. It realised the futility of continued unrest and opted
out of insurgency and has been nurtured into a very dynamic,
mature and buoyant democracy, especially so under the leadership
of the present Chief Minister, Zoramthanga, a graduate of
Imphal
University
.
Incidentally, Zoramthanga was No 2 to Laldenga while in the Mizo
National Front when it was an underground organization. Mizoram,
to a great extent, has resolved its problems with
Myanmar
by having a
free trading zone of 20 km but it has to guard against the drug
menace from the east and the creeping invasion from the west.
Cachar District (
Assam
), which is
to its west has been flooded with migrants and they are inching
forward towards the less populated zone i.e. Mizoram. the
demographic pattern of the state has already been affected.
Today Mizoram is the most peaceful state of our country but it
is better to avoid complacency.
Assam
, the mother
of all Northeastern states, is today in turmoil. The main
reasons are basically two i.e. carving out of six states out of
one and secondly its border with
East Pakistan
(now
Bangladesh
). It has
common boundaries with all the six states.
Assam
was sparsely
populated and this void was filled by a mass scale influx of
refugees from erstwhile
East Pakistan
. This not
only disturbed the demographic balance but in a number of
districts resulted in demographic inversion. This has
facilitated the emergence of a large number of insurgent groups
including Muslim Fundamentalist Militia backed by the Pakistan
Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). Currently, there are as many
as 34 insurgent groups who have been identified, though the ULFA
is the main player.
The
ominous part of this development is the post 1990 mushrooming of
insurgent groups along tribal, religious and cultural lines. We
need to put a stop on further migration and de-recognize the
status accorded to a segment of refugees who have migrated after
a particular agreed upon date. Political expediency needs to be
shown. To stop further influx of refugees, the border with
Bangladesh
is required
to be very effectively policed. Notwithstanding the above, peace
in
Assam
will always
be contingent upon stability in the other six states. Therefore,
more teeth need to be given to the statutory coordinating body,
the North East Council. Human Resource personnel with the
requisite background, who have dealt with countering insurgency
right from its inception, need to be inducted. We have very
large numbers of ex Defense Services officers who have vast
experience in this field, who understand the pulse and the
ground realities. Induction of ex Defence Services officers in
all disciplines in all types of cadres in civil administration
can be the single most important factor for affecting an overall
bonding and integration with rest of
India
.
Meghalaya
faces a major problem due to the illegal migration of Bangladesh
Muslims into the state, in particular into the Garo Hills. The
anti outsider feeling amongst the local populace often leads to
violence. The aspirations of Garo, Jantia and Khasi hill tribes
are soaring high with increased economic activity, due to large
scale tapping of natural resources. These aspirations if not met
adequately can lead to insurgency. It will be pertinent to
mention here that the state is surrounded on all sides by active
insurgencies. The thick forests of the state provide an ideal
transit route for the underground groups. Meghalaya should be
considered as a ‘mountain of peace’ and should be used as a
platform for sending out peaceful vibes in all directions.
As
mentioned earlier, Tripura’s 7/8th border
is with
Bangladesh
. The
insurgency in Tripura is mainly due to a large influx of
Bangladesh
migrants.
The influx started with a demographic invasion and has now
acquired the status of ‘demographic inversion’. This has
resulted in pressure on tribal lands. A nexus between major
political parties and insurgent groups is very evident. These
groups are easily aided by ISI through the 865 km porous border
with
Bangladesh
.
Bangladesh
has also
provided safe sanctuary to the militant groups. Tripura has now
emerged as one of the leading states to provide a safe corridor
for smuggling of arms into the Northeastern states. In the year
2002, the Tripura Governor initiated a package of counter
insurgency measures, which have started yielding results.
However, Tripura will continue to be unstable as it is
surrounded by
Bangladesh
on 7/8th of
its periphery. A proactive policy is considered the only
solution for lasting peace.
Manipur
has an IB with
Myanmar
, the
interstate boundary with Nagaland to its north,
Assam
to its west
and Mizoram to its southwest. The state has no major problem
from
Myanmar
except that
it has become the biggest transit hub for drugs. The main bone
of contention of Manipur insurgent groups is the demand for a
Greater Nagaland (Nagalim) by NSCN (IM) that includes
Manipur’s Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel districts.
Redrawing of interstate boundaries at this juncture will only
lead to further unrest and instability. In a coalition era, such
an initiative will always be opposed from one quarter or the
other. This is a typical problem of clash of ethnic interests.
In a democratic and secular state there is need to shun caste
and creed based politics. The fallout is evident in these
states. Although the Prime Minister has assured the Manipur
Government that its state boundaries will not be redrawn, such
ethnic and tribal contiguity will continue to be the bone of
contention between Nagaland and Manipur. In case adequate
statecraft is not exercised by the two states, a reverse flow of
insurgency is very much on the cards.
Nagaland
to its east has
Myanmar
, Manipur to
its south, Arunachal Pradesh to its northeast, and
Assam
to its
northwest. The Naga insurgency is the mother of all insurgencies
in Independent India. It started in the mid fifties and
continues till date, although in a state of suspended animation,
with a ceasefire accepted by both sides and extended from time
to time. The ethnic conflict between two rival factions of the
NSCN remains one of the most intractable problems of Naga
Insurgency and sporadic internecine conflicts between the two
groups continue. The insurgency in Nagaland continues to thrive
through safe-havens provided by
Bangladesh
and
Myanmar
to NSCN
(IM). The key player to fuel
insurgency in Nagaland was
China
till the
late sixties and thereafter the indirect approach through
East Pakistan
was
extensively used. The Naga people in general want their state to
remain peaceful. It is high time both NSCN groups reconcile. It
is better to shun extra territorial demands. Another important
reason was the lack of political imagination, which has been
reasonably addressed, in the recent past. The Prime Minister has
even offered to talk to any terrorist / insurgent group without
any precognition. Unimaginative policies, indifferent attitude,
ignorance and not respecting tribal ethos and customs by
successive governments, in particular and the Indian people in
general, have created a cultural divide between the Northeastern
states and the rest of
India
.
It
would be of interest to know that there are over 220 different
clans and over 415 dialects spoken in the Northeast. The British
attempts to Christianise and educate them were largely
successful but old tribal affiliations and rivalries continue.
After independence, the initial overtures of the government
clashed with the interests of the tribal community. This
ignorance of ethnicity and continued neglect of development
slowly pushed this region into the grip of full-fledged
insurgencies. In this context, it is pertinent to mention
Nehru’s farsighted views during a discussion about statehood
for Nagaland. He had said, “The traditional machinery of Naga
self-governance at village, range and tribal levels should be
strengthened.” He even suggested that tribal names be given to
the legislative assembly and the council of ministers. A
top-heavy administrative system, as in other states, would be
wasteful if adopted in Nagaland. The Nagas should be allowed to
develop along their own lines; and select an organization with
tribal ethos.
Another
glaring problem has been that the political boundaries do not
coincide with the existing ethnic and social boundaries. If we
take a look at the demographic mosaic of
Northeast
India
it shows
that this region is a meeting point of various races;
Mongoloids, Aryans and Austeric ethnic races. The Northeast
states have not been able to cater to the demands of all the
ethnic categories clamoring for recognition of their distinctive
identity. That the region has been split into seven states
already since independence bears testimony to the fact that the
Central Government is not wholly unaware of this fact and yet it
has not come to terms with it, which led to the mushrooming of
insurgency in the area.
The
alienation of the Northeast has come about due to the failure to
recognize the peculiar historical, social and cultural factors
of each area with the common effect of isolation. The situation
is further accentuated by the influx of foreigners giving rise
to ethnic parochialism and an identity crisis, which is fomented
by fear of cultural submergence, economic deprivation and social
insecurity. Attempts to create ethnic identity in the region
have suffered, making the people susceptible to insurgents’
adaptations. The government, while showing excessive concern for
the sensitivities of many ethnic and religious grouping, failed
to bring them into the national mainstream. An unfortunate
conciliatory approach adopted towards separatists was perceived
as a sign of weakness and gave a fillip to secessionist and
fissiparous trends.
A
special service known as the Indian Frontier Administrative
Service was established in 1957, to administer the Northeastern
states. This service was doing a commendable job of adequately
administering the Northeastern states with due regard to
cultural and tribal sensitivities of the people. For reasons
best known to the government, the Indian Frontier Administrative
Service was abolished in the later half of the sixties and
replaced by a top-heavy Indian Administiative Service (IAS).
The
genesis of the problem has been made amply clear and
transparent. The need of the hour is to address the problems and
reasons identified in a logical, compassionate and systematic
manner. Prosperity and peace in neighboring countries will
automatically curb the menace. Sanitization of the IB is a must
by physical means and the creation of artificial obstacles
wherever possible. Expediency and urgency needs to be shown to
stop Islamisation emanating from
Bangladesh
in all
directions. The Northeast should become a hub for a Look east
policy. It should become a gateway for ASEAN countries. Good
governance coupled with doing away with the notified area clause
and extension of transfer subsidies by yet another five years is
recommended. Tourism, health, and IT should be included in the
concessions package.
The
Kamtapur movement needs to be nipped in the bud. Any complacency
will threaten the most sensitive lifeline of the Northeastern
states i.e. the ‘Siliguri Corridor’.
The
writer is Associate Editor, Indian Defence Review and former
Commandant, Countery Insurgency and
Jungle
Warfare
School
,
Mizoram
,
India
. Courtesy: Indian Defence Review,
vol. 20-2.
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