What is the issue?
- Increasingly, co-operation among various militant groups has been noted in the north-eastern region.
- This, combined with the porous boundary along Myanmar increases the challenge of effectively controlling these groups.
Why is the North-eastern region prone to insurgency?
- The seven sister states are predominantly tribal with some states having more than 90% tribal populations.
- The forest laws since the British times became intrusive & drastically affected their livelihoods & culture.
- The diversity within even small territories proved to be difficult to accommodate within the same political administration.
- This led to numerous demands, ranging from more autonomy to complete independence.
- The Bengali migration from present day Bangladesh to the north-east during 1947 & later has also added considerable resentment, that has shown up both in electoral & militant modes.
What are some of the prominent militant groups in the north–east?
- NSCM - Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland, was formed to advance the Naga cause fro sovereignty.
- This organisation has operations in the Naga inhabited regions of India & Myanmar, with easy cross border access.
- This group has had major splits. Issac-Muivah faction (NSCN – IM) is currently involved in peace talks with the Indian government, while the Kaplang faction with its major operations in Myanmar is designated as a terror outfit by India.
- ULFA - The United Liberation Front of Assam is operating to establish a sovereign Assam through an armed struggle.
- The Indian government banned it in 1990s & a severe crackdown was launched in 2010, which considerably brought down their numbers.
- Some other organisations of significance are Mizo National Front and National Liberation Front of Tripura.
What is the current situtation?
- Insurgency-related fatalities in the north-east had indeed reached a 20-year low in 2016, suggesting that a degree of peace and stability being restored.
- The peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN – IM also appeared to hold firm.
- Also, the already existing ceasefires with other groups have been extended for another year.
- However, substantial challenges remain in confronting the remaining non-ceasefire signatory groups such as ULFA – I, NSCN-K and the CorCom umbrella group.
- These groups have increasingly shifted their strategies towards the conduct of cross-border strikes in areas adjacent to the international border.
- They are also increasingly carrying out co-ordinated attacks on the Indian defence establishments now.
- They are an indication of increasing desperation due to the success of counter insurgency actions.
What are significance of the Myanmar border?
- The Sagaing region across the India-Myanmar border has long provided sanctuary for armed groups, while simultaneously offering opportunities for networking and operational coordination.
- NSCN-K signed a ceasefire agreement with Myanmar in 2012.
- As it attempts to retain operational relevance in India, the areas of India in proximity to Myanmar along the border districts in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur & Nagaland has attained a newfound significance.
- Since the NSCN-K abrogated its 14-year ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in April 2015, the group has conducted major attacks in conjunction with its allies from within these networks.
- e.g the ambush on an Indian Army convoy in Manipur’s Chandel district.
How can the issue be addressed?
- Two governments are considering deepening cooperation in checking the misuse of the 16 km visa-free zone on either side of the international border.
- Furthermore, the use of cross-border “surgical strikes,” such as those conducted in the immediate aftermath of the Chandel ambush can be considered.
- Local support is important to intercept incoming parties of NSCN–K, ULFA–I and other allied militants.
- Offers for rehabilitation to NSCN–K militants of Indian origin were announced recently, which is a positive move.
Source: ISDA
