From Isolation to Integration: The Comprehensive Development of Northeast India

Introduction

North East India is the easternmost part of the country comprising eight states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. The region shares long, porous international borders with several countries. North East states are unique in their diverse flora and fauna and manifest distinctive social and ethno-cultural identities. At the same time, North East states exhibit common problems ranging from ethnic conflicts, insurgencies, secessionist movements, illegal taxation and extortion, drug trafficking, poor transportation and communication, and illegal immigration issues.

The region experiences prolonged ethno-political turmoil, which has resulted in migration and brain drain. The exodus of North East people to mainland Indian states and other countries implies a lack of employment opportunities and insecurity in their lives. Not only is there migration of labourers, but student migration is also conspicuous, which reveals the weakness of the educational system.

The decades-long ethno-political unrest and the continuous enforcement of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act of 1958, infamously known as AFSPA, for so many years, have caused predicaments in economic development, employment opportunities, and challenges to fundamental human rights and social well-being—resulting in people being forced to move out to other parts of India, especially metro cities.

The main push factor leading to the migration of North East people is the lack of educational infrastructure with limited choices of education, followed by a lack of employment opportunities, which are badly affected by socio-political unrest and communal conflict among the heterogeneous communities of the region.

One of the worst-affected states in the region is Manipur. Even today, the state has been embroiled in ethnic conflict for over 17 months. More than sixty thousand people have been rendered homeless, in addition to the loss of more than three hundred precious lives so far. This ethnic conflict has adversely affected especially the labour class and small-time traders. Their livelihood is at stake, with almost the entire economic system of the state coming to a standstill.

As a result, a large number of both educated and non-educated individuals move out of the state in huge numbers looking for jobs, security, and educational opportunities. This is one of the classic examples of a dysfunctional state. If such problems prevalent in the region are not promptly addressed by the government, the situation could go from bad to worse and has the potential to spiral out of control with international ramifications.

Revival of North East Economy: A Panacea to National Integration

It is very interesting and important to note that at the time of India’s independence, the per capita economy of the North East Region (NER) (then Assam, Manipur, and Tripura) was above the national average (North East Region Vision 2020). In fact, North East scholars noted that the per capita income in undivided Assam was 4% above the national average in 1947. The per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) of the North East Region declined from the national average of 89.29% to 79% around 2008–09 (Singh and Yumnam, 2020). The growth rate in the region gradually fell below the national average and stagnated over the last 70 years. This means that the management of the economic system in the region has had some serious lapses.

So, what could be the probable reasons behind this? Have the people of the region been deprived of their rights to economic equality with the rest of the country? Are the respective state governments responsible for this sorry state of affairs, or is the Central Government to be blamed—or both? Are there any other reasons besides the above two questions? These are some of the perplexing questions that have been lingering in the minds of researchers and common people alike in the North East.

Some of the popular or stereotypical reasons for the underdevelopment of the North East region are discussed below.

How Did This Happen?

People attribute the North East Region’s underdevelopment to border wars, the closure of international borders for trade and commerce, armed insurgency, and the drug menace. But these are not sufficient causes. Like the North East Region, many states in Northern India, for instance, Punjab, also faced similar problems of border wars, realignment or closure of international borders, and armed conflict. Notwithstanding all these challenges, Punjab today is one of the richest states in India, feeding the country with its grains and driving the nation’s economy with its industries.

Whereas, in the case of the North East Region, since independence, the economy and growth rate of the region have gradually stagnated. Among other reasons, top-down, incoherent planning and policy-making processes for the North East Region turned the prosperous region into a backward one. Today, the region is heavily dependent on New Delhi for regular state expenditures and other developmental works. These state governments seek developmental packages from the Centre through a provision known as the Special Category States, devised by the Planning Commission in the 6th Five-Year Plan (1980–85).

Making matters worse, brain drain of young people, freshly out of schools and colleges, continues as they pursue further studies and careers outside the region in large numbers every year. This brain drain deeply hurts the region’s economy. For all these small states, where the majority of people are dependent on the primary sectors, this becomes a huge socio-economic burden.

Following Are Some of the Reasons for the Stagnation of the Economy in the North East:

(i) Initial negligence of the region, as if this particular part of the country was a kind of buffer zone, has led to the widespread belief that the people of the region have been deprived of their rights, especially economic privileges.
(ii) Disruption of borders, population influx from across the borders, unharnessed resources, enclave economy, monopoly of traders, elitist governance approach, and infrastructure deficiencies.
(iii) Prolonged insurgency problems.
(iv) Indifferent governments, i.e., both the Centre and the state governments (North East Region Vision 2020, Atul Sharma cited in Yumnam and Singh 2020).

How to Revive the North East Region?

Good governance is the need of the hour. The last 70+ years have been marked by misgovernance, nepotism, corruption, and dynastic politics. Because of these reasons, the country—particularly the North East Region—has seen a substantial decline in per capita income over the years. The North Eastern Region has become a begging region instead of being a producing region.

To reverse this trend, North East India needs a government that actually governs in the true sense of the term. The following urgent measures are proposed to reverse the trend:

(i) Make the North East Region shine and prosper again by reversing the underdevelopment policies and processes of the last 70 years by taking up pro-development initiatives.
(ii) Make the North East Region a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for industry, education, science & technology, trade and commerce, and social justice.
(iii) Make the North East Region an effective pivotal link to the Act East Policy by setting up an Institute of International Conflict Studies, ASEAN Museum, South East Asian University, Rani Gaidinliu International Institute of Highland Culture & Traditional Studies, Annual International Trade Fair in the North East, etc.
(iv) Help India emerge as a great power to secure the neighbourhood and the world with international peace and security.
(v) Develop pristine forest zones for eco-tourism, Central Bio-Tech Lab for traditional herbs, medicines, etc.

Building Infrastructure, Roads, and Communication in the North East: A Way Forward to Fast-Track Development

One of the ways to expedite the process of development in the North East is by building infrastructure, roads, and communication networks. The lack of infrastructure and transport bottlenecks have been found to be the main obstacles—inter alia—for the region remaining backward and isolated from the rest of the country for all these years. This problem has deep implications and a direct and indirect bearing on the fragile North East society.

Also read | The Contradictory Voices of Vungzagin Valte: A Tale of Reconciliation and Division in Manipur’s Ethnic Strife

Many scholars and policymakers have pointed out that economic poverty and the insecurity of the people have accentuated the problems of insurgencies and ethnic conflicts in North East India. While economic poverty and unemployment may not be the only reasons for the malaise in the region, they are certainly among the main reasons for all the frequent upheavals the region has witnessed since independence.

It is observed that the last decade has witnessed a big push in infrastructure development, especially in roads and communications. The NHIDCL has invested substantial funds in national highways development in the region. The total length of national highways constructed in the North Eastern Region during the last ten years is 9,984 km, with an expenditure of ₹1,07,504 crore, while 265 national highway projects are under implementation at a cost of ₹1,18,894 crore, covering a total length of 5,055 km.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways pays special attention to the development of national highways in the region, and 10% of the total budget is earmarked for the North East Region (PIB, New Delhi, 25 July, 2024). The Central Government has also sanctioned a huge amount of money under PMGSY, but many of these funds have not been utilized judiciously by the respective state governments.

However, it has been observed that such initiatives by the Central Government and its agencies are not sufficient to develop this particular part of the country. Therefore, it is imperative for researchers and policymakers to find out the real reasons why the region remains backward even after more than 70 years of independence and propose the necessary measures to be taken on a priority basis. This is essential to ensure that the region does not lag behind other parts of the country and to contribute to the making of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the goal set by the Government of India.

The Language Factor for National Integration

Learning Hindi is essential for all Indian citizens, as it is the primary means of communication in the country and is used in government, education, cinema, media, business, and other areas in many parts of India. Knowledge of Hindi allows for a deeper understanding and integration into Indian culture and society. Language is one of the main bonds of relationship among people and connects those from different backgrounds and societies.

Undoubtedly, Hindi is the main lingua franca for the country, except in the southern states and North East India. Therefore, it is strongly felt that sufficient efforts should be made to make Hindi more popular in the North East, and the language should be taught from the primary to the college level by offering incentives such as scholarships and other facilities.

However, policymakers must not be seen to be imposing the language on the people but must formulate a policy in such a manner that people themselves would love to learn Hindi, as they love to learn the English language—even though it is not their mother tongue.

In recent years, many North East people have been flocking to the metro cities of India, especially Delhi and NCR. Many of them have come for safety and in search of jobs for their livelihood. Therefore, there is a strong need to impart Hindi language training for these people by setting up Hindi Coaching Institutes and Centres specifically for North East people, offering both basic and advanced Hindi, so that they are better equipped for the job market and more culturally integrated through language. This will go a long way in inculcating the spirit of national integration.

Racial Discrimination Against North East People: An Awkward Battle to Be Overcome for Greater National Interest

According to the Oxford Dictionary, discrimination means the unfair treatment of one or more groups of people compared to others. Discrimination can be based on many factors, including race, sex, religion, disability, or nationality. It is the inability or refusal to recognize the rights, needs, dignity, or value of particular races or geographical origins.

Even though Article 15, clauses (1) and (2) of the Indian Constitution clearly prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, the people from the North East strongly feel that in many ways they have been discriminated against. This assertion may be disputed legally on face value, but there is also a dictum which says, “People’s voice may sometimes go wrong but is underlined with truth.” Perhaps that was the reason why the Government of India set up the Bezbaruah Committee in 2014.

The Bezbaruah Committee Was Set Up To:

(i) Examine the various kinds of concerns regarding the security of the people hailing from North Eastern States.
(ii) Examine the causes behind the attacks or violence against the people from North Eastern States.
(iii) Suggest measures to be taken by the Government to address these concerns.
(iv) Suggest legal remedies to address concerns, including the legal aspects of these issues.

Some of the Major Recommendations Include:

(i) Creating awareness about North East people.
(ii) Quick, strong, and fair actions by law enforcement agencies.
(iii) Institutional guidance, help, information, counselling, and orientation.
(iv) Legal or legislative measures to support these efforts.

Out of the many recommendations of the Bezbaruah Committee, immediate actions on the following will go a long way in addressing the grievances of North East people:

1. A new, stringent, and quickly enforceable law should be promulgated to deal with incidents of a racial nature, or the relevant Section 153 of the erstwhile IPC, now renamed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), should be amended.
2. Strengthen law enforcement agencies by equipping them with relevant powers and skills to deal with such communally sensitive cases.
3. Take concrete short- and long-term measures to create awareness about North East people. For long-term impact, educate future generations on the history and culture of North East people by inserting suitable chapters in the NCERT syllabus and university curricula.
4. For short-term measures, the Government can encourage cultural exchange programs across the country where North East cultural heritages are prominently highlighted. Media houses, filmmakers, and social media platforms can also play a big role in creating awareness. The concerned ministries should take compulsory and concerted efforts to promote the culture, ethos, and contributions of North East people.

Political Representatives in Indian Parliament vis-à-vis North East India

Over and above all the measures mentioned in the aforesaid paragraphs for the comprehensive development of the North East, it is felt that a substantial increase in political representation in both Houses of Parliament will empower the North East people and bring them on board in framing policies and participating in nation-building processes. This, in turn, will create a sense of participation in the democratic exercise of the country and inculcate the spirit of nationalism and national integration.

According to Article 81 of the Indian Constitution, the Lok Sabha has 552 members (530 from states, 20 from Union Territories, and 2 from the Anglo-Indian Community to be nominated by the President). Unfortunately, North East India has only 25 MPs to represent it in the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This is due to the relatively small size of the region’s population, which accounts for hardly around 45 million or 3.37% of the total population of the country. Therefore, these 25 MPs in the Lok Sabha—belonging to different political parties—can hardly make any meaningful impact in a 552-member House. And that is where the fault lies.

In this regard, it is pertinent to note that out of the approximately 790 districts in the country, the North East Region has around 130 districts. It is proposed that there should be at least 100 Members of Parliament from the North East in the Lok Sabha, even if every district is not strictly represented by an MP. This is especially important considering the proposed expansion of Parliament to nearly 800 seats after the freeze on parliamentary seats is expected to be lifted in 2026.

Even if 100 MPs are earmarked for the North East as a whole, this number would hardly exceed the number of MPs from Uttar Pradesh, which currently has 80 seats. In the proposed expanded Parliament, Uttar Pradesh alone is likely to have more than 100 MPs.

In the Upper House, i.e., the Rajya Sabha, each state—whether big or small—should have equal representation, similar to the United States, where every state has two representatives in the Senate regardless of population size. This would ensure a proper check and balance in the federal system, preventing brute majoritarianism and preserving the true spirit of democracy and federalism in India.

Thus, one of the most important measures to ensure long-term justice and comprehensive development for the North East would be to have more representatives in Parliament. This would allow the region to wield greater influence in national decision-making processes. By then, New Delhi and the rest of India will be compelled to take the North East more seriously in every aspect of governance and development, particularly given the strategic importance of its 5,182 km-long porous international border.

With more representatives in Parliament, it is hoped that the era of begging for grants and favours from the Central Government will come to an end, and real democracy will flourish throughout the country, including in the North East. People from the region will be able to live in peace with equal dignity and freedom, with heads held high, regardless of caste, creed, race, or other identities. This will certainly instil in them a sense of belongingness to the nation.

Perhaps this is one of the best ways to bring the North East people from isolation and alienation to national integration.

The writer is Mathiuang Gonemi, a researcher and social activist. He can be reached at mathiupuang@gmail.com

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