Friday, March, 29,2024

Latest News

CURRENT INSURGENCY SITUATION AND WAY FORWARD

Insurgency in North East India involves multiple armed separatist factions operating in some of India’s north-eastern states, which are connected to the rest of India by the Siliguri Corridor which is barely 14.29 miles wide. These states share borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China which makes up close to 40% of India’s land borders with its neighbours. North East (NE) region is a bridgehead between India and the vibrant economies of South East Asia including China. The region is endowed with huge natural resources and potential of tourism.

INSURGENCY
The reasons for insurgency differ from State to State in NE. Several factors like common ethnic stock, similar historical background and comparable geo-politics are responsible for abetting insurgency in the region. The physiographic constraints, the geographical isolation and the wide communication gap facilitated mushrooming insurgent groups and their prolonged struggle. They were assisted by China and Pakistan with training facilities and weapons and Bangladesh and Myanmar by providing shelter. Tripura. Armed insurrections in the region began in 1947 when the Shanti Sena demanded reforms in land laws and an end to the feudal regime. Later the armed outfits like, All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) and National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) emerged. Presently ATTF is defunct and NLFT signed the Tripura Peace Accord ending insurgency in 2019. Mizoram’s tensions were largely due to the simmering Assamese domination and the neglect of the Mizo people. In 1986, the Mizo accord ended the main secessionist movement led by the Mizo National Front, bringing peace to the region. Manipur’s incorporation into the Indian state in 1949 led to the formation of a number of insurgent organisations dismissing the merger with India as involuntary. Clashes between the two major ethnic groups of Nagas and Kukis during the 1990s and emergence of militant outfits of other ethnic groupshas made Manipur a major conflict zone. The major separatist factions active today are — Unite National Liberation Front (UNLF), The Kuki National Army, the People’s Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA), the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK). Except Kuki group, no peace talks with any other outfit.

Nagaland was created as a state of the Indian Union in 1963. The Naga National Council led by Phizo has been demanding independent Naga Nation since 1947. The main insurgent groups operating today are: - The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) formed in 1980 to establish a Greater Nagaland, encompassing parts of Manipur, Nagaland, and the north Cachar Hills (Assam). The NSCN split in 1988 to form two groups, NSCN (Isak - Muivah) and NSCN (Khaplang). Since 2015, both groups are in a ceasefire truce with Government. Assam has been a refuge for militants for a number of years, due to its porous borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh and close proximity to Myanmar. The United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) was formed in April 1979 to establish a sovereign state of Assam for the indigenous people of Assam through an armed struggle. With Bodo and Karbi groups having signed peace agreements with the government, only some from ULFA (Independent) and KLO (Kamtapur Liberation Organisation) keep indulging in some criminal activity. Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) operating in South Assam has signed peace accord with government and was dissolved in 2012. Meghalaya was separated from the state of Assam in 1971, in order to satisfy the Khasi, Synteng and Garo groups. The first militant outfit to emerge in the region in 1992 was Hynniewtrep Achik Liberation (HALC). Currently barring a few leaders of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, almost all extremist groups such as Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) and Achik Liberation Matgrik Army have declared a truce. Arunachal Pradesh insurgency has been of low nature and a part of the larger Northeast India insurgency involving multiple groups trying to separate from or destabilize the province.

CURRENT STATUS
Insurgency in north-eastern India is rather low at present, due to synergised efforts of the state police forces, army, central armed police forces, the state governments and the central government. This has been aided mainly due to cooperation by neighbouring countries - Bangladesh and Myanmar. While States of Mizoram and Tripura by and large remained peaceful and there has been a “marked improvement” in the security situation in the other states of the region. With issues of Bodoland and Dimasas nearly settled, most groups of Meghalaya have called a truce and most other outfits including NSCN and ULFA are involved in a peace dialogue in the hope of arriving at a settlement. The major hassles still obstructing peace in the region are Paresh Barua of ULFA and militant outfits in Manipur. Today, Manipur is one of the worst affected states in the Northeast where at least 12 insurgent outfits are active at present with a cadre of over 10,000 and needs greater focus to get the militant outfits including Meitei groups to the negotiating table. In Arunachal Pradesh some Naga insurgent groups are active but the violence level is not high. The Central Government has decided to reduce disturbed areas under Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur. However, possibility of disruption of talks with local radical groups and Chinese presence and influence on Myanmar Army must be factored in lest the backlash is faced by security forces.

WAY AHEAD
Need to adopt a holistic approach and continue carrot and stick policy towards insurgent groups adopted by Modi Government as it has helped curb insurgency and restore normalcy in the region. The military operations have been able to keep the Insurgency under check but the lasting peace remains elusive. Replace Army gradually from CI operations in North East and let Assam Rifles in conjunction with local police and civil administration deal with the issue. Opening of trade and communications links and keep diplomatic channels alive to ascertain our national interests with Myanmar and countries beyond. The peace negotiation is the only solution to completely curb the insurgency in this region. The government must first increase its presence in the region through corruption free pro-people governance and ensure speedy implementation of economic development projects. Conclude the agreement with the NSCN and ULFA at the earliest and bring remaining radical groups specially Paresh Barua group of ULFA and Manipuri militant outfits including Meiteis on peace talk table.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

COL RAJESH BHUKAR  The author has been Head Security Rajasthan Operations of Cairn Energy and DGM HR in Jindal Saw Ltd

  Share on

Related News