Towards a happier Northeast

By Murkot Ramunny

DR. S. RADHAKRISHNAN'S words have to be remembered today, ``Look backwards and live forwards''. The Centre's tackling of the problem of Naga insurgency appears to have been knee-jerk action, resulting in setting Manipur `on fire'. It almost succeeded in spreading the flames throughout the Northeast. The poorly- considered decision to extend the `ceasefire' without territorial limits, the forced `u-turn' following protests in Manipur, and the resultant confusion at the Centre, all go to prove that little attempt was made to understand the context, go back into the history of the problem and above all the psychology of the tribal people.

Statements contrary to the facts made in public by those in authority shake the confidence of people everywhere. This is more so with the tribal people who staunchly honour their word once given. They have accepted the commitments made by the Centre. But when that is broken, or completely altered, their faith in the Government is shattered - with terrible consequences.

Now is the time that a scientific review of the problems of the Northeast as a whole needs to be made by a competent group which is aware of its history, politics and, above all, the aspirations of the youth. In Nehru's words, those who are detailed to make this comprehensive study should know ``why they do, what they do''. The group should have a strong regional presence and no preconceived ideas. It should be willing to learn from the people, and have sympathy for them. Unfortunately, most of those who deal with the `problems' of the Northeast belong to other parts of the country and lack the experience to deal with these issues. This has been one of the main causes of the lack of confidence in those who come from outside. The situation of `we' and `they' should disappear from the minds of both sides.

It is unfortunate, but it has to be admitted that there is a psychological divide between the people of the Northeast and the people from `mainstream' India. Lack of contact and ignorance of the culture of each other are the major gaps, even 50 years after Independence. These have to be overcome. There has to be more consultation both between the Centre and the Northeastern States and among the States themselves. Immediately after Independence, a lot of interest was shown in this region. A number of committed and talented `outsiders' volunteered to work to develop this region. The hopes and aspirations of the people were supposed to have been met, and generous financial support provided by the Centre.

After creating a number of new States and having installed elected Governments, in consonance with local aspirations, it was probably felt by the Centre that the people would look after themselves. This has unfortunately not happened. Even worse, there has been growing discontentment in the region. Part of the neglect of the Northeast comes from its relatively low population and hence its meagre representation in Parliament and in the national political leadership, which is dominated by leaders from the Hindi heartland. We seem to have forgotten that India (that is Bharat) was conceived as a welfare state where every part, every corner, every citizen has to be given full opportunity to develop. This promise has to be realised in both letter and spirit, if the `law and order' problems of the Northeast have to be addressed.

Whether right or wrong, there is a feeling of alienation among the people of the region, which is in various ways reciprocated by many in other parts of the country. There has to be more interaction at the people- to-people level. Exchange of students from the Northeast to different States and vice versa is one way. Organised tours of youth and youth festivals where participants are exchanged could be another. This does happen. But very rarely.

Internal as well as external communication is very important. In the Northeast, road, rail and air communication infrastructure is still very rudimentary. For example, the Prime Minister's golden quadrilateral project stops at Kolkata. A start, however, has been made of opening travel through Bangladesh. This should be expanded. Opening up a road to Myanmar from Manipur was another important step. Normalisation of trade and transit with Bangladesh with emphasis on facilities for road, rail and river travel would enhance the economy of the region.

While we are anxious for travel, trade and commerce with Pakistan in the west, which has been closed due to political reasons, we are not planning for the same towards the east with friendly countries. Such opening up in the east would benefit the Northeast, which post- Partition has been more or less cut off from the rest of India. Apart from various methods of transport through Bangladesh, opening up the region to the east through Myanmar and Thailand would improve trade and commerce resulting in enhanced employment potential, in consonance with the Centre's `Look East' policy.

Many decades ago, Haimendorf, the anthropologist, after visiting Nagaland a second time, remarked that `education has outstripped economic development'. This is one of the underlying reasons for disappointment and unrest. Unemployment among the educated is increasing every year. Government employment is all that is available. That is limited, especially in an environment of downsizing and fiscal reform. There are few industries worth the name. It has to be remembered that the region has the largest proportion of educated youth in the country. A disgruntled youth has a dangerous potential, as we should know from the militancy in Punjab.

In the hill areas, the jhum cycle is reducing rapidly. Every village was once self-sufficient for food. But with rapid increase in population and a reduction of food producing area, there are bound to be food shortages. Exclusive dependence on PDS rice and wheat from other parts of India is not a sustainable solution in the long run. There has to be improved local food security through sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. The region is one of the richest repositories of biodiversity in the world. Sustainable use of these plant resources in keeping with local culture and skills could bring great prosperity to the region. Investment in intellectual and institutional capacity to develop these resources needs to be made expeditiously.

From ancient days, the Northeast has inherited and preserved village and tribal administration of land and its resources. Apart from the hills, in the plains too, the local administration, cooperation and sense of values of the people were of a high order. Modern education, lack of employment, increase in population, insurgency and lack of communication connecting the rest of India to other countries to the east have bottled up the people and are proceeding to suffocate them.

Working for peace while simultaneously planning improvements in agriculture, industry and communication, to ensure sustainable local livelihood and economic integration with the rest of India, are essential. Else, the gains of peace will be squandered in less than a generation. The hopes and aspirations of two generations of ordinary Indians who have struggled to improve their lives, through periods of economic and political turmoil in the Northeast, must not be belied, as also the future of their children and grandchildren.

(The writer is a former administrator involved for over two decades in the development of the Northeast.)

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Opinion
Previous : Trade as strategy: Chinese lessons
Next     : Tactless behaviour