North-East India now consists of eight Indian states: Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya. Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh are all neighbors of North-East India. North-East India holds a lot of importance due to its biodiversity and other resources. This region has been experiencing insurgencies, that is, violence and rebellion since the 1950s. All these areas face this revolt in different forms and for different reasons. The insurgencies also vary in intensity with changes in the area. The North-East Insurgency has been causing unrest to those who live around it and also to the entire nation.

Insurgency in North-East India: 

• In North-East India, the British had adopted a policy of non-interference
• However, in 1947, the newly independent India faced the job of integrating different princely states across the country
• The combining of these different North-East India cultures into the “mainstream” was faced with a lot of hesitation
• Naga Hills was the starting point for the insurgencies
• The Naga National Council (NNC) declared independence from India on August 14, 1947, under the leadership of Phizo
• Despite efforts by numerous leaders at the time to reach a political settlement, the disturbance continued
• As a result, the Government of India declared Naga Hills a disturbed area in January 1956
• The Indian Army was instructed to conduct Counter-Insurgency operations
• Following that, several regions in the region actively stated their demands for freedom/independence and launched insurgencies

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Reasons for Insurgency in North-East India: 

Various factors contribute to the emergence of insurgencies in North-East India. These are the following: – 

• North-East India is India’s most ethnically diversified area. Around 40 million people live there, including 213 of India’s 635 tribal groups. These tribes each have their own distinct culture
• Each tribal group disagrees with being combined into mainstream India because it means losing their unique identity, giving rise to insurgency
• North-East India’s infrastructure and economic development has been gradual. This has deepened the gap between North-East India and mainstream India
• The development of North-East India has slowed, resulting in a shortage of job possibilities. Insurgent groups provide a way for quick money
• Isolation, deprivation, and exploitation are all feelings that people have
• Distance from New Delhi and a lack of representation in the Lok Sabha has further silenced the voice of those who truly understand the culture
• Changes in the population: Assam’s demography was greatly changed by the migration of refugees from former East Pakistan (now, Bangladesh)
• This caused dissatisfaction among the inhabitants of the region and the insurgency in Assam, with the United National Liberation Front leading the anti-immigrant campaign
• Internal repositioning: Internal displacement is also a common issue. People within the region have been displaced as a result of this rebellion
• External help is available: China and former East Pakistan have both extended a helping hand to North-East India
• The Influence of Revolutionary Politics: Members of the Naga National Council, traveled over Myanmar’s Naga Hills to Yunnan in January 1967, seeking Chinese backing for their cause
• The triumph of the Chinese people’s revolution inspired insurgent commanders and fueled the insurgency in North-East India
• Indian Army’s Perceived Excesses: The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) gave the Indian Army the responsibility of Counter-Insurgency operations
• This was enacted across much of North-East India, further isolating the local population and was considered harsh by many

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Insurgency in Different States

• Assam: The United Liberation Front of Asom is an active insurgent group in Assam
  • This is a separatist organization, which aims to create a separate state for the indigenous people of Assam
  • The insurgency status in this state is classified as very active
  • An agreement has been signed on 27th January 2020 to end the Bodo crisis 
• Manipur: This state’s insurgent groups initially demanded a separate state, but did not stop even when this goal was achieved
  • As of now, the Armed Forces Act 1958 (AFSPA)  is still in force in the state of Manipur
  • The United National Liberation Front is a powerful and active insurgent group in Manipur
• Nagaland: The insurgent groups in this state have demanded the need for a separate nation, that is, secession.
  • Ceasefire agreements have been signed by insurgent groups in Nagaland
  • The AFSPA 1958 has been in effect here as well. In 2021, 14 innocent citizens of Nagaland were killed by the Indian Army, causing rebellion and violence
• Meghalaya: This state has seen insurgencies not only against nationalists, but also within insurgent groups
• Tripura: The All Tripura Tiger Force, one of the state’s insurgent groups, aims to remove all Bangladeshis that reside near Bangladesh
  • A Memorandum of Settlement has been signed by the Government of Tripura, Government of India and National Liberation Front Tripura, where 88 cadres surrendered
• Mizoram: In an attempt to free themselves from Assamese domination as well as a secessionist ideology, insurgent groups have formed in Mizoram
  • Several other groups exist throughout the Northeast that aim for a separate state or more recognition of the culture

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Conclusion

Northeast India has been facing insurgencies since it first gained independence. These regions have been ignored, neglected, and face discrimination by the rest of India. A lack of development on economic, and infrastructural development and low representation in politics has led to the rise of insurgent groups. This has caused distress to the national authorities as well as the citizens of Northeast India. It has led to casualties and destruction. Different states have faced different issues and forms of insurgency. It is important to address these issues in order to establish unity and create an equal nation.