Northeast Development Policies

Northeast India comprises  the easternmost region of India. This region covers 8% of the entire landmass of India and is divided into 8 states. These states are Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh are all neighbours of Northeast India. The development of Northeast India holds a lot of importance due to its biodiversity and other resources.

Reasons for Lack of Developmental Opportunities Until Now in Northeast India

Political violence, insurgency, civil strife, migratory pressure, inter-state conflicts and underdevelopment have become essential 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. This accounts for 7.7% of the country’s geographical area and 3.72% of its population.

The insurgency has become, in many respects, the only viable, developing enterprise in the Northeast, one that offers immense promise while posing fewer risks. The insurgency has become the source of the region’s economic backwardness due to the poor development of the Northeast 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 the Northeastern states.

Funds will be shared in a 90:10 ratio between the Centre and the states for the development of the Northeast. This expenditure on the Northeastern states will include many security-related items such as raising India Reserve Battalions, logistics provided to CAPFs/Army deployed in the State, etc.

Civic Action Programme in the Northeastern States of India

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

Numerous welfare/developmental activities are carried out under this programme, 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 taken to promote peace in the region.

Agriculture

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

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

Infrastructure

Since it is geographically isolated from the rest of the country, there is low industrialization in the Northeast region.

A Northeast Special Infrastructure Development Scheme will be given to the connectivity, the road, airway and railway, and the infrastructure will be upgraded for the better development of the Northeast.

Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya were added to the rail map in 2014. Broad gauge lines now link Agartala and Tripura.

Some Important International Cooperations

Project Kaladan

• India and Myanmar have initiated the project to develop a multimodal platform for cargo shipments from eastern ports to Myanmar and the country’s Northeastern parts via Myanmar.
• The project will open sea routes, increase economic development in the Northeast, and add value to Myanmar-India’s 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 the United Liberation Front of Assam (I) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang).

Exercise SAMPRITI-IX

• India and Bangladesh are conducting a military exercise.
• The operation aims to provide basic counter-terrorism training for mountainous and jungle areas.

Current Status of Northeast 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, 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, focusing 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 can be more connected with the rest of India.