Development of the North East

A holistic and integrated approach has been taken by the Indian Government to deal with the Left Wing Extremist (LWE) insurgency, addressing security, development, and promoting good governance all at the same time. 

Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) implemented a scheme for Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation of Militants in Northeastern India on January 1st, 1998, in order to take out the misguided youth and hardcore militants who becomes a part of militancy. This is a huge step taken for the development of the North East

• The Program also makes sure that the former militants who have surrendered do not return to militancy again to increase the North East India Conflicts

• This scheme was revised with effect on April 1st, 2018 for six NE States (except Sikkim and Mizoram)
• The Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (MDoNER) is responsible for the design, implementation, and monitoring of development programmes and projects in the region

• The following benefits will be given to surrendered individuals under the revised policy:

1. Education and employment training is provided to surrendered individuals in preparation for self-employment that will reduce the Northeast India conflicts. 
2. Funding for the development of rehabilitation camps.
3. Incentives for militants surrendering weapons/munitions.

Reasons of Backwardness in North-East India

• Political violence, insurgency, civil strife, migratory pressure, interstate conflicts, and underdevelopment have all become important aspects of comprehending the region’s political system and economic development
• The tendency of State governments in the region to overplay the ‘central neglect of the region’-card and falter in putting to effective use the available resources, which are by no means insufficient, can be attributed to the region’s economic backwardness, which accounts for 7.7% of the country’s geographical area and 3.72 percent of its population
• Insurgency has become, in many respects, the only viable, developing enterprise in the northeast, one that offers immense promise while posing less risks. Insurgency has become the source of the region’s economic backwardness as a result of poor development performance by local and federal governments

Security Related Measures

• The Central Government has initiated a system for reimbursement of Security Related Expenses (SRE) for states severely impacted by militancy/insurgency since 1995

• Except for Mizoram and Sikkim, this scheme will be implemented throughout NE states

• Funds will be shared in a 90:10 ratio between the Centre and the States under the scheme for the development of Northeast for expenditure done on the NE States on many security-related items such as raising of India Reserve Battalions, logistics provided to CAPFs/Army deployed in the State, and so on

Civic Action Programme in the NE States of India: 

• The Army and Central Paramilitary Forces conduct Civic Action Programmes to gain the public’s confidence in the local population and improve the image of the armed forces among the public

• Numerous welfare/developmental activities are carried out under this program, including medical camps, sanitation drives, sports meets, distribution of study materials to children, minor repairs to school buildings, roads, bridges, and so on, as well as the operation of adult education centres for the development of the northeast

Advertisement and Publicity

• The Ministry of Home Affairs takes help from advertisement and publicity schemes in the Northeastern region to highlight the actions that are being taken in order to promote peace in the region.

• Various initiatives are carried out under this scheme, such as visits by youth from the Northeast to the rest of India, and correspondingly under the auspices of the Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), telecasting of different programs on Doordarshan and AIR, and funding different organisations to organise functions on NE themes, and so on.

Agriculture

• The Northeast region is rich in horticulture, medicinal plants, and organic farming
•  Horticulture: The Horticulture Mission for the Northeast and Himalayan States (HMNEH) promotes the horticulture sector in the region of Northeast

• Organic agriculture is encouraged through different programs such as Organic Value Chain Development for the Northeast. Moreover, Sikkim was proudly the country’s first organic agriculture state

Infrastructure

• The North-East Region is geographically isolated from the rest of the country, because of which there is low industrialization in that specific region

• A  special emphasis will be given to the connectivity, the road, airway, and railway and the infrastructure will be upgraded for the better Development of North east India

• Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya were added to the rail map in 2014. Agartala and Tripura are now linked by broad gauge lines

Some of the important international Cooperations

Project Kaladan 

• The project has been initiated by India and Myanmar to develop a multimodal platform for cargo shipments from eastern ports to Myanmar, and to the country’s north-eastern parts via Myanmar

• The project will open sea routes and increase numerous economic development in India’s north-eastern region, as well as add value to Myanmar-India commercial, economic, and strategic ties

Operation Sunrise

• Myanmar and India’s armies coordinated their operations for better protection

• Armies from both countries are working together to break up various militant camps, including those of the United Liberation Front of Assam (I), the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang)

Exercise SAMPRITI-IX:

• India and Bangladesh are conducting a military exercise

• The operation’s goal is to provide basic counter-terrorism training for mountainous and jungle areas

Current Status of North-East India Insurgency

• Since 2014, the overall situation in the Northeastern States has significantly improved

• In the last six years, the region has seen a 70% decrease in insurgency incidents, a 78% decrease in security force casualties, and an 80% decrease in civilian deaths
• Since 1997, the year 2019 has seen the lowest number of insurgency incidents and civilian and security force casualties

Conclusion

For the growth of the Northeastern area, an integrated and balanced strategy must be used, with a focus on industrial growth, environmental preservation, and ethnic aspirations of the local population. By addressing security issues in the northeastern states and encouraging more private enterprises to invest in the region, the Northeast region must be connected with the rest of India.