My articles and opinion pieces about Northeast India are not typically because I am from the region, but because of the enormous potential it holds for development on the global stage. Somewhere in its profound beauty and the impeccable diversity it carries, if guided with proper caution and compassionate mastery, this region of the country can give back in multiples of what we expect from it. A decade ago, people were not adequately aware of this particular region, like how they knew the other states at the tip of their tongue. Today, people from the mainland, as we call those from states other than the Northeast region, are showing love and compassion and are keenly interested in the region’s plight and affairs. Tourism has grown significantly, as per the latest data. There is greater media awareness, and headlines are becoming prominent. Everyone loves the Northeast region. People are applauding these states for their commitments in several fields. There is no doubt that the region is progressing. Still, it is also fraught with its own set of challenges that have become a cause for concern in its path to achieving economic growth and development in the region and the country. Although I should admit, each state has its fair share of individual affairs, I will enlighten you here on the prominent challenges that need to be addressed at the earliest.
The most obvious challenge in infrastructural development and feasible connectivity is the topography and geographical location of the Northeast region. Several states in the Northeast region have over two-thirds of their area under forest cover. Furthermore, the region also encompasses portions of the Lower Himalayas, a mountain range renowned for its rugged terrain. Being a landlocked region with waterways limited to present-day Bangladesh, railway and air travel have been the commonly used modes of connectivity through the narrow Siliguri corridor. Although it has often been considered very distant from mainland India, the region’s rugged rural nature has frequently been a significant reason for limiting feasibility and hindering infrastructure development. The lack of a fair share of resources and the limited availability of infrastructure, which is presumed to be mostly concentrated in the plains of Assam, Tripura, and Manipur, often creates significant tension between communities in these states. However, data regarding the budget allocated for hill districts by states like Manipur shows a 58% allocation, skepticism persists, as 84% of Northeast states are largely rural. This means schemes like UDAN for air connectivity, the Regional Connectivity Scheme, etc., need to be accelerated to boost initiatives such as Swadesh Darshan, Digital India, and others. The political history of the Northeast and its integration with India has long been a source of skepticism, which has made the region a breeding ground for insurgents fighting for political freedom and separatism on multiple levels. The UNLF of Manipur, the NSCN-IM, which demands a separate Nagaland, and the ULFA of Assam are examples of this. Although peace agreements between the militants and the Indian government, including the surrender of arms, have become common nowadays, insurgent groups are often a fishbone aching the throat towards national security and societal stability. Extreme extortions, attacks against security personnel, muscle power, loot, and vandalism are common issues ordinary people face. Instability, tensions, and violence are often factors that have brought Northeastern society to a halt, while also largely affecting the economy and sustainable development of the society. This, in turn, affects the education system and academia. Not only does the Northeast lack properly systematized higher educational facilities, but a growing number of young people are also getting diverted. This is primarily due to societal, economic, and political constraints, which make them largely unemployed and feel hopeless. These are also factors that have resulted in some youths seeking refuge by joining militant and extortionist groups, and in some cases, even consuming narcotics. There is a common joke in Manipur among ordinary people that if one joins armed groups, it is often due to financial hardship resulting from unemployment. Often, extortion in the name of patriotism and martyrdom is so common in the state that, paradoxically, the insurgent groups are tracking down pseudo-members making money out of their groups. Narco-terrorism is another factor often creating an uproar in the Northeast. Illegal poppy cultivation to ease money making and for financial gains, coupled with the rise of kingpins, is slowly infesting the Northeast, its youths, and its society. The northeast, which is in the closest proximity to the Golden Triangle, is at a huge risk today. The upheaval of selling narcotics for muscle power and arms is one major security issue that requires India’s immediate action.
Northeast India is an enormously diverse region, not only in terms of culture, traditions, and topography, but also in terms of demography. Many often talk about the Northeast as an intolerant state consumed with ethnicity and race. Northeastern states have been the focus of several protests to implement the Inner Line Permit System and mandate the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Northeast is a region that comprises only 4% of the country’s population, with more than 200 ethnic diversities, and several indigenous communities often have a population of mere hundreds. History has also shaped the region, assimilating several practices and cultures, often resulting in a hybrid sense of identity and a contradictory perception. This, in return, makes indigenous groups fear for the survival of their ethnicity, often exhibiting hostile attitudes towards any kind of foreigners. Understanding this rising problem and the conflict that arises out of such skepticism requires a deeper understanding of the dynamics of migration. Let us take, for example, the case of Tripura and Assam, states that are hugely affected by immigration. In Tripura, indigenous communities are revolting to acquire ownership rights over their land, as over 70% of the state’s population is immigrants. The case here is survival, Darwin will agree. Migration policies are a serious matter that warrants careful investigation for a region like the Northeast. ILP, NRCs, border fences, and checking of illegal immigrants are not only for the Northeast cause, but also for the security of the nation. The constant failure to heed indigenous concerns only increases skepticism towards the Central government. Constant influx, especially of illegal immigrants from neighboring countries, if not taken seriously and properly addressed, can be a breeding ground for conflicts. This can create a haven for terrorism, thereby inviting unwanted breaches of security and intelligence on the soil of the nation. Lastly, the issue of unemployment is one of the most overlooked yet crucial aspects of the challenge the Northeast faces. With higher literacy levels among a large number of youths in many Northeastern states, but with an unemployment rate of more than 60%, the contradiction is a significant setback to the path of development. Northeast India needs support in the path of peace, infrastructure, facilities, and employment opportunities. Although there have been records of tens of thousands of militants laying down arms to join the mainstream, followed by agreements such as the ANVC Accord, and the Bodo Accord, including the recent agreement with UNLF, the path is also to pave a way of hope for these militants to join the mainstream. Indeed, there has been a 76% reduction in extremist hostilities across the Northeast until 2022. However, the security concerns remain. Increased reach of sustainable means is essential to keep hope alive among the people, and this should start from the basics. For example, the promise of border fencing and regulating migrants through ILP and NRC are several aspects that can help win the trust of the people.
All Northeastern states have achieved 100% household electrification under the Saubhagya – Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana. Other schemes such as PM Ujjwala, PM Mudra, AIIMS hospital, National Sports University, increased air transportation means, and improved infrastructure under the NESIDS, where the Government has sanctioned 90 projects that are waiting to be realized, are taking place. Unaddressed unemployment often shatters the hopes of the youth and instills a similar sense of doubt and indifference towards the nation-building process. However, so far under the MGNREGA, around 71 lakh individuals are recorded as being employed in 2022, and the number exceeded 63 lakhs in 2023. Employed youths who can sustain positive growth can drive progress in peace and catalyze diversion from taking up arms. Youths who see the future in themselves, see prospects in the future, and drive the nation-building process. Northeast youths are increasingly aligning their hopes with pragmatic execution, and policymakers implementing these initiatives should ignite this spirit. With 900 DPIIT-recognized start-ups, the region has seen a wealth of employment opportunities. All the above, bolstered by larger connectivity schemes and projects, are driving the growth of tourism. The northeast should not be a chess game for political gain. The challenges this region and its people experience are real, and one wrong move can destabilize the region. Its fragility is also India’s strength. The world is watching, and the spirit of India should echo through this region like a drumroll. No developmental goals and challenges in the region are beyond India’s ability. The key is to keep trying rigorously. The Northeast is a ray of hope, showcasing India’s dedication to nation-building. We just need to ensure and keep on checking that the light is not dimmed.
The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views of BlueKraft Digital Foundation.
