The armies of India and Myanmar recently carried out a military operation targeting several militant groups in the Northeastern states of Manipur, Nagaland and Assam.

The latest operation was a sequel to the first phase of Operation Sunrise that was conducted three months ago in which at least six dozen militants were captured.

The armies coordinated with each other to destroy the camps of militant outfits such as Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), United Liberation Front of Assam and National Democratic Front of Bodoland.

Overview of conflict in the Northeast

* The Northeast region has been the land of a thousand mutinies. These mutinies have been taking place since pre-independence times.

* The insurgencies are a reflection of the region’s social, cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity, terrain, socio-economic development, politico-economic conditions, historical evolution and changes in the environment of the area.

* A cursory look at the demographic mosaic of the Northeast show that this region is home to a curious amalgam of cross-cutting societies. What compounds the problem of this plurality is the fact that the tendency for ethno-political assertion is high among almost all the groups. This is primarily because the political boundaries in most cases do not coincide with existing social boundaries.

* In spite of several political permutations and combinations, the north-eastern units of the Indian federation have not been able to cater to the demands of all ethnic categories clamouring for recognition of their distinctive identity.

* This is reflected in the pattern of conflicts, which are varied in their nature and causes and the stance of insurgent groups that remain divergent and ever changing. These range from secession to autonomy, movements against foreigners and immigrants, ethnic integration and reaction to perceived imposition of Indianness.

* The common factor is resorting to violence in articulation and mobilisation of demands.

Conflicts in the region can be broadly grouped under the following categories

National conflicts

Involving the concept of a distinct ‘homeland’ as a separate nation and pursuit of the awareness of that goal by the use of various methods, both violent as well as non-violent.

Example: ULFA’s demand for a sovereign Asom, NSCN for a Greater Nagaland.

Ethnic conflicts

Involving the assertion of numerically smaller and less dominant tribal groups against the political and cultural hold of a dominant tribal group. In Assam, this also takes the form of tension between local and migrant communities.

Sub-regional conflicts

Involving movements that ask for recognition of sub-regional aspirations and often come in direct conflict with the state governments or even the autonomous councils.

Example: United People’s Democratic Solidarity in Assam.

Role of neighbours

Neighbouring countries such as China and Myanmar have been accused of promoting insurgency in the region. Pakistan, through its intelligence agency ISI, is believed to have assisted militants with training and finance.

China reportedly provided some assistance to groups such as the NSCN in the 1980s.

In Nagaland and Manipur, militant camps exist in areas bordering Myanmar. Outfits such as ULFA and the NDFB have reportedly used these facilities.

Bhutan remains the only country that has successfully dislodged several militant camps of the Northeast groups through a military operation launched in December 2003.

The way forward

* Although varying in their demands and methods, there is a common thread running through the insurgency infested Northeast, that is of identity and development. Hence, some solutions that are common need to be explored with specifics derived from them for specific regions and groups.

* Implementing the Sixth Schedule provisions in these areas will help them to preserve their identity and culture while giving them greater autonomy.

* Economic development of the areas in a calibrated manner. Any development should be sustainable and should have the participation and acceptance by locals.

* Improving governance and delivery mechanisms of the government and administration.

* The pre-condition of complete abjuring of violence for holding peace talks is a flawed notion. If violence is discarded and peace is established, then the need for peace talks becomes futile. Dialogue should be an ongoing process to reach concrete solutions by involving all the stakeholders and not a single group.

* Coordinating operations with neighbouring countries and use of force only when needed.

* Laws such as AFSPA should be repealed as it is one of the reasons for inflating insurgency in the region.

* Rebel groups must be more pragmatic by seeking greater autonomy within the constitutional mandate rather than demanding newer states and regions based on ever narrowing ethnic and linguistic identities, which are beyond acceptance.

* The Centre and states should coordinate in decision-making. In the recent agreement of the Centre with the NSCN(IM), it did not take the state governments concerned and other groups on board. That should be avoided.

* The state police and central forces should cooperate on sharing intelligence, investigation and operations against militants. It has been alleged that a recent ambush on the army was made possible because the police did not share intelligence about the attack. It is unfortunate and counter-productive.