Terrorism, a nontraditional security threat has come to occupy centerstage in 21st century international relations, as the lines between how non-state actors and state actors use it have become increasingly blurred. India and China, the two leaders of the Asian century in international relations also understand the gravity of the threat and have their own stances to dealing with it.
As a part of Vivekananda International Foundatio’s (VIF) longest running series of lectures, Vimarsha, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of Finance and Health, Government of Assam, was invited to deliberate upon India’s strategically important North-East, both from national and regional perspectives. The topic under discussion ‘India’s North-East: From Periphery to the Core’ was highly pertinent, especially keeping in view the newly introduced Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that has euphemistically put the North-East’s politics on a roller-coaster.
There are three kinds of media people who travel to the North-East of India: the north-easterners who have had to desert the sylvan vales of their region as economic refugees; career adventure journalists who like to get stellar roles in their chosen profession from the blood spilled; and few reluctant reporters who just cannot avoid the ‘bad’ news emanating from the region. Sanjay Hazarika belongs to neither category.
Abstract History has been witness to the conflict-induced internal displacement of people in different states of Northeast India from time to time. While the issues of such displacement have been resolved in most of the North-eastern States, the displacement of Brus from Mizoram has remained unresolved even over past two decades. Over 35,000 Brus have been living in six makeshift relief camps in North Tripura's Kanchanpur, areas adjoining Mizoram under inhuman conditions since October 1997.
Background Non-inclusiveness in the process of development leads to unemployment, discontentment and frustration. These have been established as one of the root causes of insurgency in the Northeastern part of India in general and Manipur in particular. It has directly and indirectly led to the mushrooming of various socio-political and underground organizations who have worked towards increasing the ethnic divide in order to retain their relevance in the society.
Abstract Land is at the center of most conflicts in Northeast India because of its importance in the life of the people of the region, particularly its tribal communities. Manipur, the Land of Jewels, has been besieged with conflicts on issues ranging from exclusivity, integration and governance.
Abstract Ethnic strife between the people of Tripura and Bengal that was simmering since the princely days increased subsequently, leading to tension and sporadic incidents of violence since its integration into the country. The partition of Bengal in 1947 resulted in an influx from East Bengal (now Bangladesh) which forever changed the demography of Tripura. This demographic change paved the way for a fierce ethnic conflict that has ravaged Twipra, as the indigenous tribes-people of the state call it.
The insurgency by the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has petered out over the years but peace talks with the outfit's leadership has not progressed beyond a preliminary stage. What are the prospects of these negotiations? Will a recalcitrant leader of a faction play spoil sport? This paper explores the options. Click here to read full paper
There are a large numbers of militant groups involved in insurgent activities in Northeast India. Over the years, consequent to the perceived neglect, ethnic and identity insecurity, these groups have been sustaining their ideological struggle. However, with the emergence of multiple groups espousing to fight for the same segment of masses, these erstwhile ideological struggles have mostly degenerated into an economic opportunism. Irrespective of the group, the major source of income happens to be through “Taxation and Extortion”.
Signed on 30 June 1986, between the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Government of India, the Mizo Accord so far remains the only successful Peace Accord of its kind in independent India’s history. Click here to read full paper