UPSC Mains 2017 · GS III · Q10 · 10 marks · 150 words

The North-East region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.

हिन्दी में

भारत का उत्तर-पूर्वीय प्रदेश बहुत लम्बे समय से विद्रोह-ग्रसित है । इस प्रदेश में सशस्त्र विद्रोह की अतिजीविता के मुख्य कारणों का विश्लेषण कीजिए ।

Extremism

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “What are the reasons behind continuation of insurgency in the North-Eastern region of the country? Highlight the government initiatives to check insurgency in North-East. Also, recommend measures required to deal with this threat.”

Medha AnandAIR 13 · CSE 2023 · 325 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

North East India is infamous for insurgency and remaining disturbed for plethora of reasons. Its integrity is essential for maintaining territorial sovereignty of India.

Reasons behind continuation of Insurgency in North East India -

Body · points

(1) Issue of tribal identity - Various identities like Naga, Kukis, Bodos etc keep on infighting. (2) External hand - Some violence is often state sponsored. Ex - China's policy of salami slicing etc. (3) Scarce Resources and poor economic development leads to groups fighting for survival. (4) Historical agreements remain unfulfilled. Ex - Recently Assam Peace Accord was signed.

Diagram
China's ↓↓↓ threat <-issue of identity ↗ Rohingyas ↑ militancy in Myanmars Fig- threat to NE India- both internal and external

(5) Lack of Political will - various factions belonging to different leader often put their own interests above the interest of the nation.

Govt initiatives to check infighting in NE

(A) Focus on Development - (1) PM Gram Sadak Yojana to ensure connectivity (2) MSP for tribal produce to ensure growth (3) UDAN-4.0 to focus on air corridors in the North East. (4) Centrally sponspered schemes often have a 90:10 fund distribution (Centre:state) (5) Scholarship schemes for encouraging education. Ex- Vishwesarya etc. (6) Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat often uses one NE state with other states to encourage cultural mixup. (7) Brand ambassadors for sports often nominated from NE. Ex- mirabai chanu etc (B) Resolution based (8) Assam Peace Accord's clause 6 was recently relooked into. (9) Bodo Peace Process was started to ensure peace across the region. (10) Talks with factions like ICSN(K) etc.

Measures to deal with the threat -

(A) Infrastructural (1) proper border fencing. Ex-BOLT (2) Ensure least infiltration from across the border. (3) Road connectivity. Ex- BBIN project.

(B) Development (4) Ensure economic growth and inclusivity in growth outcomes. (5) Diversify employment opportunities. Ex- focus on sports, recreational facilities etc.

(C) Cultural Integration (6) Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat to be further expanded.

Close · a summary

Thus, NE region with its people, mineral resources, strategic location holds huge potential for making India a "Vishwa Guru" and this potential must be tapped.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper III, Q10. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.