‘Fix India’s North-East before East’
Pune, 14th June: Pune International Centre (PIC) in association with Centre for Advanced Strategic Studies (CASS) organised a lecture by Nitin Gokhale, strategic affairs analyst and a renowned author, about the prevailing exertion in the North-Eastern states of India.
Starting off with a brief representation of what these states portray, he brought into light the daily life and activities of the common people in confluence with the military and the militants. Having briefed this, he went ahead and explained the atrocities being faced by the Indian Armed Forces in trying to preserve a peaceful environment. He brought to attention a few extreme incidents that took place, in which the Indian Army had to suffer great losses on account of the militants.
The North-Eastern states have a treasury of rich natural resources and are beaming with potential. With 37% of county’s river water, 20% of the country’s hydrocarbon reserves, 4412 million tonnes of limestones. The people however are devoid of a national consciousness. Facing the problem of threat like silent demographic, migration of Bangladeshis, and the illegal collection of votes.
Manipur – A state most prone to violent and widespread extortion. Nagaland – Factional fights, extortions, rampant truce on ceasefire. Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal, all face varying degrees of the same situation, giving rise to unease. The neglect towards infrastructure, huge misuse of central funds are some of the compounding issues in the region. 60-40 nexus milks the system, creating disparities within the region. They also face the scarcity of skilled/unskilled labour, unclear allotment of land laws.
The insurgency has resulted into decrease in the business in the region which has a potential of worth 200 crore annually. Normal life remains uncertain with the most sufferers being women and children. The consequence being an inverse effect on investors, projects and thus progress. Irrespective of the literacy rate being high, and its a proximity to South-East Asia.
The future endeavors for the North-East holds priority and significant development. In 2014-15 Rs 48,000 cr fund was available for the entire North-East. Roads getting a priority; 600 km of roads built in the past two years. 4000 km planned to be awarded. The funds not being an issue, utilization seems a herculean task. Improvements in trade, connectivity with neighboring countries (1400 km Thailand-Myanmar-India Highway), boost in power grid, trade and transit. Make fencing, Border policing effective along porous border, impossible to detect & deport, issue work permits but disallow voting, give permits only in groups, ensure large-scale central aid trickles down to grassroots, have time-bond talks with insurgents; clinch accords, change people’s mindset from seeing themselves as victims of conspiracy.
(Husein K Chunawala is a student of Indira School of Communication)
