Insurgency in the State of North-East

The North East is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse regions in India. The numerous fairs and festivals celebrated by these communities and their friendly nature are irresistible attractions for the visitors. However, the maximum concentration of the Tibeto-Burman speakers is found in the North East: in comparison to any part of the Country.

The problem of insurgency in the Northeast has reached all-time high. Almost all Northeast is under Armed forces under special powers Act. Their presence is due to unrest or ethnic uprising, which is due to unemployment, intolerance, frustration and alienation among the people in general, and youths in particular.

There are many reasons behind the problem of insurgency/ terrorism. Some of which is lack of political will and determination to make the people of this region to have feelings of oneness and sense of belongingness to the country. Due to not having any industrial growth, the States have lack of employment opportunity, lack of proper facilities, planning etc. The other reason is the geographical isolation/location of the states of Northeast from rest of the country. Due to this, there is lack of communication, poor transportation, no opportunity for sending agriculture and other produces outside the state etc. All these adversely affect the economic development.

A number of studies showed that deprivation, unemployment, racial discrimination, ethnicity, minority status, and so on show altogether different impact on identity development. Ethnic minorities who form sub-segment in the society have low self-esteem and find themselves in a complex situation (Taifel, 1978, and Morris).