Questions Answers

● The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was established

under the leadership of N. Bisheswar Singh on
September 25, 1978.
● Objectives:
○ The PLA aims to organize a revolutionary
front covering the entire Northeast and
unite all ethnic groups, including the
Meiteis, Nagas, and Kukis, to liberate
Manipur. PLA, though a Meiti outfit, claims
itself to be a trans-tribal organization
seeking to lead the non-Meiteis as well.
● In 1989, the PLA formed a political body called the
Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF). RPF runs a
government-in-exile in Bangladesh. Irengbam Chaoren
is the ‘President’ of the RPF. It has a Vice-president, a
General Secretary, Secretaries in charge of Home,
Finance, Foreign Affairs, Publicity and Communication,
Social Welfare, Health, and Education.
● As part of its revitalization efforts, the PLA was
reorganized on the lines of a disciplined army. The
1. What do you mean by the People’s
militant wing now comprises four divisions – Sadar Hill
Liberation Army of Manipur?
West areas of the Valley of Manipur, Sadar Hill areas in
the eastern valley, the entire hill areas in Manipur, and
the entire Imphal area. Each division has a commander,
lieutenants, sergeant, and lance corporals in its ranks.
PLA activists are equipped with sophisticated arms. The
group has also been reportedly involved in widespread
extortion operations.
● PLA recruits were trained in guerrilla warfare by the
then United National Socialist Council of Nagaland
(NSCN) at its headquarters in Challam, beyond the
Somrah Tract, in north Myanmar during the eighties.
PLA is also reported to have contacts with Pakistan’s
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The ISI’s nexus with
the PLA came to notice through a document recovered
in January 1991 from Biren Singh alias German, the
Finance Secretary of the RPF (the political wing of the
PLA).
● It has a government-in-exile in Bangladesh where the
PLA has set up several bases in the Sylhet district. Two
camps in Myanmar and five camps in Bangladesh are
 currently known to exist, where about 1,000 recruits
have received arms training.

1. The Chakmas and Hajongs are ethnic people who lived

in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, most of which are located
in Bangladesh.
2. Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists, while
Hajongs are Hindus. They are found in northeast
India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

The Chakma-Hajong Issue

3. The Chakmas and Hajongs living in the Chittagong Hill
Tracts fled erstwhile East Pakistan in 1964-65 since they
lost their land to the development of the Kaptai Dam
on the Karnaphuli River.
4. They also faced religious persecution as they were
2. Discuss the Chakma and Hajong
non-Muslims and did not speak Bengali. They
issue.
eventually sought asylum in India. The Indian
government set up relief camps in Arunachal Pradesh
and a majority of them continue to live there even after
five decades. According to the 2011 census, 47,471
Chakmas live in Arunachal Pradesh alone.
5. The locals and regional political parties opposed
resettling refugees in their land fearing that it may
change the demography of the State and that they may
have to share the limited resources available for them.
6. In 2015, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to
grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajongs who had
migrated from Eastern Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) in
1964-69.

● India's northeast region has been the land of thousands

of mutinies.
● Large-scale migration has created a fear in the minds of
people that they will be reduced to a minority in their
own states or regions. Migrants threaten their culture
and traditions and also occupy already limited
3. What are the General conditions
employment opportunities.
favoring Insurgency in the
● The migration of Muslims has also imparted a communal
North-East?
color.
● Lack of economic opportunities and governance deficit
making it easier for people to feel alienated and left out
and thus providing support for the insurgency.
● Porous international borders and the easy availability of
arms.
 ● Difficult terrain and weak infrastructure facilitating
insurgents involved in the conflict.
● The deep sense of alienation due to human right
violations and excesses by security forces.

● “Operation Sunrise 2”, the armies of India and

4. What is Operation Sunrise 2?
Myanmar coordinated with each other to bust
camps of militant outfits, including the Kamtapur
Liberation Organisation, the National Socialist
Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), the United
Liberation Front of Assam (I), and the National
Democratic Front of Bodoland.
● The first phase of “Operation Sunrise” was
conducted in February 2019 along the Indo-Myanmar
border, during which several camps of northeast-based
militant groups were busted.
● In the first phase of “Operation Sunrise”,
Myanmar-based insurgency group Arakan Army was
targeted (a group that has been opposing the Kaladan
multi-modal transit transport project).
● This multi-modal transit transport project is perceived
as India's gateway to Southeast Asia.
● Myanmar shares a 1,640-km border with India and
these militants regularly enter into the bordering
north-eastern states like Nagaland and Manipur.
● Named Operation Sunrise, the strategy is aimed at
hitting militant groups that are impacting both
India and Myanmar.

India’s North East is geographically isolated from the

rest of India and is connected to the mainland by a
narrow strip of land called the Siliguri Corridor, which is
about 200 km long and 60 km wide. At its narrowest, it is just
17 km wide. The corridor extends from the Darjeeling,
Jalpaiguri, and Terai areas of West Bengal towards the North
East.
Importance:
5. What is the Siliguri corridor and
● The region is important for trade, commerce, and
explain its importance?
tourism for West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Nepal, Bhutan,
and Bangladesh. All land trade between the North East
and the rest of the country happens through this
corridor.
● The corridor is the hub of a rail and road network
connecting West Bengal and the rest of India to the
North East, including Assam, Nagaland, and Sikkim. It is
also the hub of the railway network that connects to the
 strategic military formations along the Line of Actual
Control (LAC).
● The Siliguri Corridor, through the rail and road networks
passing through it, feeds the primary military
formations located in the North East which will counter
China during a conflict.
● They also include the newly-raised mountain strike
corps. Experts think the road which China started
building in the Doklam plateau will give it the capability
to launch an overwhelming offensive during a conflict
with India.
● The corridor is squeezed between Bangladesh in the
south and China in the north. India’s borders Bhutan
and Nepal are also about the corridor. It would thus be
in India’s security interests to ensure it remains open.
● India and China have always been at loggerheads with
each other over the demarcation of the LAC. Besides
having fought the 1962 war, troops from both sides
engage in numerous incursions and face-offs every year
due to the “differing perception of the LAC”.

The ILP is an official travel document required to visit

four Northeastern states, namely, Arunachal Pradesh,
Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland.
An Inner Line Permit, simply put, is a travel document that is
6. What is the Inner Line Permit (ILP)?
required by non-natives to visit these four Northeastern
states. The document is essential to allow entry for either
travel or work. Both the duration of stay and the areas allowed
to be accessed for any non-native are determined by the ILP.
 Different types of permits are issued based on the purpose of
a visit.
History:
The Inner Line Permit is an extension of the Bengal Eastern
Frontier Regulation Act 1873. The Britishers framed
regulations restricting entry in certain designated areas. This
was done to protect the Crown’s interest in certain states by
preventing “British subjects” (Indians) from trading within
these regions. In 1950, the term ‘British subjects’ was
replaced with ‘Citizens of India’. Today, all non-natives require
a permit. This was done to protect the indigenous tribal
communities of these states from exploitation.
● Domestic tourists can get an ILP both offline and
online.
Note: Manipur is the most recent state to join three
others in the Northeast that require an Inner Line
Permit (ILP) from visitors.

● The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was established

under the leadership of N. Bisheswar Singh on
September 25, 1978.
● Objectives:
○ The PLA aims to organize a revolutionary
front covering the entire Northeast and
unite all ethnic groups, including the
Meiteis, Nagas, and Kukis, to liberate
Manipur. PLA, though a Meiti outfit, claims
itself to be a trans-tribal organization
seeking to lead the non-Meiteis as well.
● In 1989, the PLA formed a political body called the
Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF). RPF runs a
7. What do you mean by the People’s government-in-exile in Bangladesh. Irengbam Chaoren
Liberation Army of Manipur? is the ‘President’ of the RPF. It has a Vice-president, a
General Secretary, Secretaries in charge of Home,
Finance, Foreign Affairs, Publicity and Communication,
Social Welfare, Health, and Education.
● As part of its revitalization efforts, the PLA was
reorganized on the lines of a disciplined army. The
militant wing now comprises four divisions – Sadar Hill
West areas of the Valley of Manipur, Sadar Hill areas in
the eastern valley, the entire hill areas in Manipur, and
the entire Imphal area. Each division has a commander,
lieutenants, sergeant, and lance corporals in its ranks.
PLA activists are equipped with sophisticated arms. The
group has also been reportedly involved in widespread
extortion operations.
 ● PLA recruits were trained in guerrilla warfare by the
then United National Socialist Council of Nagaland
(NSCN) at its headquarters in Challam, beyond the
Somrah Tract, in north Myanmar during the eighties.
PLA is also reported to have contacts with Pakistan’s
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The ISI’s nexus with
the PLA came to notice through a document recovered
in January 1991 from Biren Singh alias German, the
Finance Secretary of the RPF (the political wing of the
PLA).
● It has a government-in-exile in Bangladesh where the
PLA has set up several bases in the Sylhet district. Two
camps in Myanmar and five camps in Bangladesh are
currently known to exist, where about 1,000 recruits
have received arms training.

● The British annexed Assam in 1826, and in 1881, the

Naga Hills too became part of British India.
● The first Naga resistance came into the picture when
the Naga Club was created in 1918. The Naga Club
asked the Simon Commission in 1929 “to leave us alone
to determine for ourselves as in ancient times”.
8. Discuss the Naga political issue.
● In 1946 came the Naga National Council (NNC), which,
under the leadership of Angami Zapu Phizo, declared
Nagaland an independent state on August 14, 1947. The
NNC resolved to establish a “sovereign Naga state” and
conducted a “referendum” in 1951, in which “99
percent” supported an “independent” Nagaland.

● On June 29, 1947, Assam Governor Sir Akbar Hyderi

signed a 9-point agreement with Naga moderates T
Sakhrie and Aliba Imti, however, the agreement was
rejected by Naga Phizo.
● Under the agreement, Naga Hills (a district of Assam)
was upgraded to a state in 1963, by also adding the
Tuensang Tract that was then part of NEFA.
9. Write a short note on the initial
● In April the next year, Jai Prakash Narain, Assam Chief
peace process with Naga insurgents.
Minister Bimala Prasad Chaliha, and Rev. Michael Scott
formed a Peace Mission and got the government and
NNC to sign an agreement to suspend operations that
September. But the NNC/NFG/NFA continued to indulge
in violence, and after six rounds of talks, the Peace
Mission was abandoned in 1967, and a massive
counter-insurgency operation launched.

10. Write a short note on the Shillong ● On November 11, 1975, a section of NNC leaders signed
Accord? the Shillong Accord with the Indian government.
 ● Under the accord, this section of NNC and NFG agreed
to give up arms.
● A group of about 140 members led by Thuingaleng
Muivah, who was at that time in China, refused to
accept the Shillong Accord and formed the National
Socialist Council of Nagaland in 1980.
● Muivah also had Isak Chisi Swu and S S Khaplang with
him. In 1988, the NSCN split into NSCN (IM) and NSCN
(K) after a violent crash. While the NNC began to fade
away, and Phizo died in London in 1991, the NSCN (IM)
came to be seen as the “mother of all insurgencies” in
the region.

● The current demands of the NSCN (IM) continue

to be informed by their earlier demands for
sovereignty and independence of Naga areas from
India. While that is their stated political position, there
have been underlying changes in terms of how the
group has re-framed its focus from independence to
greater Naga territorial unification within India.
Therefore, in the latest speeches and statements by the
leaders of the NSCN (IM), Naga territorial unification,
which apart from Nagaland includes the hill districts of
Manipur, namely, Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati, and
Ukhrul; and the hill districts of Assam, along with Tirap
and Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh, has become the
11. What are the current demands of
core demand.
the Naga insurgent groups,
● The talks between the union government and the
particularly NSCN (IM), and the
NSCN (IM) are now concentrated on finding a
status of talks with the Indian
framework that can meet their demand without,
Government?
of course, stoking political anxieties in Manipur,
Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. These three states
are opposed to the re-demarcation of their territory for
fulfilling the NSCN (IM)'s agenda.
● The Naga conflict is witnessing certain positive changes
that need to be emphasized: first, violence levels have
gone down in Naga areas; second, the cease-fire has
been extended indefinitely; third, the peace talks have
continued since 1997 without break; and fourth, the
talks have seen the involvement of not just the peace
interlocutors but also the prime ministers of India, who
have invested their time and energy in ensuring that a
resolution framework is worked out.

The Naga Peace Accord, a framework agreement as it

12. The Naga Peace Accord: Why Now?
has been termed, signed between the National Socialist
 Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the
Government of India in 2015 is significant for several
reasons.
● Firstly, it shows the flexibility and realism of the NSCN
(IM) in terms of the willingness to alter goals, from
complete sovereignty and Greater Nagalim to
acceptance of the constitutional framework albeit with a
provision for the grant of greater autonomy to Naga
inhabited areas outside of Nagaland through the
establishment of autonomous district councils. This
indeed had been a sticking point in negotiations as
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Manipur had
categorically stated their opposition to any territorial
division. It is pertinent to note here that a similar
proposal called the ‘supra-state structure’ was offered
by the Government of India negotiators in 2011. This
involved the grant of greater autonomy for Naga areas
without a territorial division of the other states involved.
But opposition from Manipur Chief Minister, Ibobi Singh,
meant that an agreement could not be signed.
● Second, the signing of the accord at this moment in
time discloses that the platform of social support for the
NSCN (IM) comprising of Naga civil society groups is
insistent on a peaceful path to conflict resolution.
● Third, the leaders of the NSCN (IM), Thuingaleng
Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu (who has been unwell for
some time now), have been forthcoming since 2011 to
sign a framework agreement that pledges to preserve
the culture, history, and traditions of the Nagas and
grants greater autonomy to Naga inhabited areas
outside of Nagaland.
● Fourth, Modi’s own promise to resolve the Naga conflict
within an 18 months’ time frame must have been a
factor in the signing of the framework agreement.

● The Assam Accord was a Memorandum of Settlement

signed by the Governments of India and Assam, and the
All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the All Assam
Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) in New Delhi on
August 15, 1985.
13. What is the Assam Accord?
● The signing of the Accord led to the conclusion of a
six-year agitation that was launched by the All Assam
Students' Union (AASU) and Asom Gana Sangram
Parishad in 1979, demanding the identification and
deportation of illegal immigrants.

14. Why is the Citizenship Amendment
Act opposed in North-East India?
15. Discuss the 6th Schedule of the
Constitution.
● The Union Home Ministry was the nodal Ministry
for the implementation of the Accord.
● In 1986, a new Department was set up in the
Government of Assam, called “Implementation of Assam
Accord Department”, to implement the various clauses
of the Memorandum of Settlement.
● At the heart of the Accord were the “Foreigners Issue”
(Clause 5), and “Safeguards and Economic
Development” (Clauses 6 and 7). There were some
“Other Issues” (Clauses 8-12), and a section on
“Restoration of Normalcy” (Clauses 13 and 14).
● Though the accord brought an end to the agitation,
some of the key clauses are yet to be implemented,
which has kept some of the issues festering.
Assam and other northeastern states oppose the grant of
Indian citizenship to any refugee or immigrant, regardless of
their religion, because they fear it would make Non-muslim
(Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Parsi, and Jain) refugees
eligible for Indian citizenship, that will alter the NE region's
demographic balance.
●The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 (2) provides for
the creation of Autonomous District Councils (ADC)
in an Autonomous District and Regional Councils for
autonomous regions and accords a host of legislative,
executive, and judicial powers to these autonomous
bodies.
● It applies to certain tribal areas of the States of Assam,
Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Powers Of The Governor About 6th Schedule
● The Governor has the power to annul or suspend
any act or resolution of a District or Regional Council
which he finds likely to endanger the safety of India or
to be prejudicial to public order.
● The Governor can suspend the Council and exercise
all the powers vested in the Council. However, the
Governor has to lay such an order before the State
legislature as soon as possible and the order shall,
unless revoked by the legislature, continue for a period
of twelve months from the date on which it was made.
● The Governor has the power to appoint a
Commission at any point of time to examine and
report on any matter relating to the administration of
the autonomous districts and regions in the State or
may appoint a Commission to inquire into and report on
 the administration of autonomous districts and
autonomous regions.
● Further, the Governor has the power to dissolve a
District or a Regional Council with the
recommendation of such a Commission.
Note: The tribal areas under the Sixth Schedule of the
Constitution have been exempted from the application of the
Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. Also, the National
Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) recently
recommended ‘tribal area’ status for Ladakh under the Sixth
Schedule of the Constitution.

● The Nagas are not a single tribe, but an ethnic

community that comprises several tribes who live in the
state of Nagaland and its neighborhood.
● Nagas belong to the Indo-Mongoloid Family.
● Nagas claimed sovereignty based on prior sovereign
16. Write a short note on the Naga existence and differences, which is today expressed in
tribe. terms of “uniqueness”.
There are nineteen major Naga tribes, namely, Aos,
Angamis, Changs, Chakesang, Kabuis, Kacharis,
Khain-Mangas, Konyaks, Kukis, Lothas (Lothas), Maos, Mikirs,
Phoms, Rengmas, Sangtams, Semas, Tankhuls, Yamchumgar,
and Zeeliang.

● According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, severe

17. What are the consequences of
violence in North-East India?
fatalities have been reported from the northeast
including both civilians and security forces.
● In the oil-rich Assam, militants have periodically
targeted oil and gas pipelines for sabotage, alleging that
India is exploiting the natural resources of the state.
● National projects such as the extension of the rail lines
have either been stalled or have moved with a tardy
pace after militants attacked the construction sites and
abducted workers.
● Militancy has also stalled the prospect of linking the
economy of the northeast with the neighboring
Southeast Asian countries.
● Tourism, which could have flourished in the scenic
northeast, has suffered a lot due to instability in the
region.
● The education sector too has been affected by militancy.
Several schools in states like Tripura’s interior areas
have been shut as teachers avoid the areas due to fear
of militant strikes.
 ● Extortion by the militant groups on the national
highways that connect the different states with
mainland India has shot up the prices of essential
commodities.

United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)

The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the vanguard of
the national liberation struggle in Assam, was formed on 7th
April 1979 to bear the historic responsibility of spearheading
the armed democratic struggle with the ultimate aim of
establishing an independent socialist sovereign Assam. ULFA
represents, as its name implies, not only the Assamese nation
but also the entire independent-minded struggling peoples,
irrespective of different race-tribe-caste-religion and
nationality of Assam.
Funding
The funding for the front comes from three sources:
● Extortion: The front's main source of income comes
from extortion from businessmen, politicians,
government employees, industrialists, and tea
companies. It also indulges in bank robberies and other
criminal activities to finance its activities.
● Drug Trafficking: It was reported that the front was
also involved in drug smuggling. As far back as 1988,
one ULFA leader was caught with seven kilograms of
18. What do you mean by ULFA and
Burmese heroin. Drug money had been used to
SULFA?
purchase arms at the rate of 50,000 for automatic rifles,
Rs.40,000 for pistols, and Rs.45,000 for wireless sets.
● There was no proper source for ULFA's annual budget
but according to an accomplished journalist and security
analyst from Guwahati, Mr. Jaideep Saikia's calculations,
the ULFA's budget for the year 2001 was a whopping
Rs.31 crore plus.
SULFA
● Surrendered ULFA cadres are known as SULFA. The
former Chief Minister of Assam Hiteswar Saikha played
a major role in splitting the front. Saikhia bestowed
blue-eyed status on the surrendered boys, granting
them all kinds of favors. Very soon the term syndicate,
referring to its mafia-style mode of operations, became
synonymous with the SULFA, coined by the local media,
and took on a pejorative connotation.
● Many of the surrendered ULFA have joined the security
forces and are working in the state and central forces.
The combined onslaught of the SULFA and the security
forces took their toll on an already-weakened ULFA.
 ● The SULFA has become an effective fighting machine
and served as an important tool for counter-insurgency
in the state of Assam.

● The Bodos are the single largest tribal community in

Assam, making up over 5-6 percent of the state’s
population. They have controlled large parts of Assam in
the past.
● The four districts in Assam — Kokrajhar, Baksa,
Udalguri, and Chirang — that constitute the Bodo
Territorial Area District (BTAD), are home to several
ethnic groups.

Dispute
● The Bodos have had a long history of separatist
demands, marked by armed struggle.
● In 1966-67, the demand for a separate state called
19. Write a short note on the Bodoland Bodoland was raised under the banner of the Plains
dispute. Tribals Council of Assam (PTCA), a political outfit.
● In 1987, the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) renewed
the demand. “Divide Assam fifty-fifty”, was a call given
by the ABSU’s then leader, Upendra Nath Brahma.
● The unrest was a fallout of the Assam Movement
(1979-85), whose culmination — the Assam Accord —
addressed the demands of protection and safeguards for
the “Assamese people”, leading the Bodos to launch a
movement to protect their own identity.
● In December 2014, the movement became violent and
separatists killed more than 30 people in Kokrajhar and
Sonitpur.
● In the 2012 Bodo-Muslim riots, hundreds were killed
and almost 5 lakh were displaced.

● In October 1986, the prominent group Bodo Security

Force (BDSF) was formed by Ranjan Daimary. The BDSF
subsequently renamed itself as the National Democratic
Front of Bodoland (NDFB), an organization that is
known to be involved in attacks, killings, and extortions.
● In October 2008, bomb attacks in Assam carried out by
20. Write a note on Bodo insurgent
the NDFB killed 90 people, and its leadership was
group NDFB.
arrested by security forces. After this incident the NDFB
was divided into two factions — the NDFB (P), led by
Gobinda Basumatary, and the NDFB (R), led by Ranjan
Daimary.
● The NDFB (P) started talks with the central government
in 2009. In 2010, Daimary was arrested and handed
 over to India by Bangladesh and was granted bail in
2013. His faction too then began peace talks with the
government.
● In 2012, Inti Kathar Songbijit broke away from the
NDFB (R) and formed his faction, the NDFB (S). His
faction is believed to be behind the killing of 66 Adivasis
in Assam in December 2014. The NDFB (S) is against
holding talks.

Key features of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR)

agreement:
● It is a historic agreement between the Government of
India, Government of Assam, and Bodo representatives
signed in 2020 to end the over 50-year old Bodo crisis
● With this agreement, over 1500 armed cadres abjured
violence and joined the mainstream.
● The state government would give Rs 5 lakh each to the
next of kin of those who lost their lives during the
agitation for a separate state.
● Criminal cases with non-heinous charges against NDFB
members will be withdrawn.
● Those cases which are heinous will be reviewed on a
case-to-case basis as per the existing rules.
● Bodos living in the hills would be conferred a Scheduled
Hill Tribe status.
● A Special Development Package of Rs 1,500 crore will
21. Explain the Bodoland Territorial be implemented for the development of Bodo areas in
Region (BTR) agreement. the next three years with an equal contribution of Rs
750 crore each from the Central and state governments.
○ The funds would be used to set up industry and
employment packages and promote eco-tourism.
● The government will set up a Central University in the
name of Upendranath Brahma and a National Sports
University will be set up.
● A regional medical institute, hotel management campus,
a Mother Dairy plant, a National Institute of Technology,
and more Navodaya Vidyalayas will be set up.
● The existing structure of Bodoland Territorial Council
(BTC) will be strengthened with more powers and its
seats will be expanded from 40 to 60.
○ The BTC currently has control over 30 subjects
such as education, forests, horticulture but no
jurisdiction over the police, revenue, and general
administration departments, which are controlled
by the Assam government.
 ● A commission will be set up for the inclusion of
Bodo-dominated villages in the BTC and exclusion of
those where Bodos are not in majority.
● With more administrative powers the Bodoland
Territorial Area Districts (BTAD) spread over four
districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri will
be renamed as Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

● The Chakmas and Hajongs are ethnic people who lived

in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, most of which are located
in Bangladesh.
● Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists, while
Hajongs are Hindus. They are found in northeast
India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

The Chakma-Hajong Issue

● The Chakmas and Hajongs living in the Chittagong Hill
Tracts fled erstwhile East Pakistan in 1964-65 since they
lost their land to the development of the Kaptai Dam
on the Karnaphuli River.
22. Discuss the Chakma and Hajong
● They also faced religious persecution as they were
issue.
non-Muslims and did not speak Bengali. They
eventually sought asylum in India. The Indian
government set up relief camps in Arunachal Pradesh
and a majority of them continue to live there even after
five decades. According to the 2011 census, 47,471
Chakmas live in Arunachal Pradesh alone.
● The locals and regional political parties opposed
resettling refugees in their land fearing that it may
change the demography of the State and that they may
have to share the limited resources available for them.
● In 2015, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to
grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajongs who had

23. What is the Mautam Famine?
24. Discuss the genesis of the Mizo
insurgency.
25. What are the implications of
Northeast India’s proximity with the
‘Golden triangle?’ Also, discuss the
way forward.
migrated from Eastern Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) in
1964-69.
● In 1959, Mizo Hills was devastated by a great famine
known in Mizo history as 'Mautam Famine'.
● The cause of the famine was attributed to the flowering
of bamboo which consequently resulted in a rat population
boom in large numbers. After eating up bamboo seeds, the
rats turned towards crops and infested the huts and
houses, and became a plague to the Villages.
● The havoc created by the rats was terrible and very
little of the grain was harvested. This led to a famine
in Mizoram.
● During Mautam led feminine, the Mizo National Famine
Front dropped the word 'Famine' and a new political
organization, the Mizo National Front (MNF) was born on
22nd October 1961 under the leadership of Laldenga with
the specified goal of achieving sovereign independence of
Greater Mizoram.
● While the MNF took to violence to secure its goal of
establishing a sovereign land, other political forces in the
hills of Assam were demanding a separate state.
● Large-scale disturbances broke out on 28th February 1966
government installations at Aizawl, Lunglei, Chawngte,
Chhimluang, and other places simultaneously.
● The Golden Triangle is a region between the borders of
Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand; a famous region for its
opium production. According to the United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) latest Southeast Asia Opium
Survey 2013, opium cultivation in the Golden Triangle went
up by 22 percent in 2013 propelled by a 13 percent growth
in Myanmar.
● Illicit drug trade along the Golden Triangle has serious
implications for Northeast India in the following way:
o It invites the danger of the rapid flow of illicit drugs
and arms.
o Without effective drug control mechanisms that
guarantee that illicit trade is kept to the minimum,
the adverse consequences of illicit drugs on
Northeast society could leave long-term negative
effects, e.g. organized crimes, social and family
problems, crime against women, prostitution, and
spread of AIDS.
● Way Forward:

26. What do you mean by COIN ops?
27. Discuss Civic Action Programs
conducted in northeast Indian
states.
28. What is the role of India’s
neighboring countries in the
northeast insurgency?
o India should establish institutional mechanisms with
China, Myanmar, and Thailand to counter illicit
trafficking.
o There must be a long-term Indian strategy to limit
drug trafficking, address the social impact of drug
addiction, spread the word about the ill effects of
drug abuse in schools, and establish efficient
rehabilitation centers in the HIV and drug zones in
Northeast India.
● Counter-insurgency (COIN) operations are comprehensive
civilian and military efforts taken to simultaneously defeat
and contain insurgency and address its root causes.
● Since some of the North Eastern States are affected by
insurgency and militancy, there is a constant need to
deploy the Army and other Central Paramilitary Forces in
the region to combat insurgency.
● To take the local populace in confidence and boost the
image of armed forces among the common people, the
Army and Central Paramilitary Forces conduct the Civic
Action Program.
● Under this Program, various welfare/developmental
activities are undertaken like holding of medical camps,
sanitation drives, sports meets, distribution of study
material to children, minor repairs of school buildings,
roads, bridges, etc., and running adult education centers,
etc.
● Neighboring countries like China and Myanmar are
accused of promoting insurgency in the region.
● Pakistan, through its intelligence agency the I.S.I., is
believed to have assisted the militant groups in terms of
training and finance.
● China has provided some assistance to groups such as the
N.S.C.N. in the 1980s.
● Militant camps in Nagaland, as well as Manipur, exist in the
bordering areas of Myanmar. Outfits like U.L.F.A. and the
N.D.F.B. have reportedly used the facilities.
● Bhutan remains the only country that successfully
dislodged several militant camps of the northeastern
groups through a military operation launched in December
2003.
● Dual Role of Bangladesh: The influx of illegal migrants
from Bangladesh is a major problem for the Northeast. The
active support to illegal migrants by BDR and Bangladeshi

29. What is Operation Jericho?
30. What is a Protected Area Permit
(PAP)?
authorities makes the problem more serious. On the other
hand, the anti-India elements in Bangladesh provide
safe-haven and logistic support to northeastern insurgent
groups.
● In 2009, Shaikh Haseena helped India to destroy northeast
insurgent launchpads in Bangladesh.
On February 28, 1966, the fighting volunteers of the Mizo
National Front launched Operation Jericho to throw out Indian
forces stationed in Mizoram – launching simultaneous attacks
on Assam Rifles garrisons in Aizawl and Lunglei. The next day,
the Mizo National Front declared independence from India.
●The Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958 requires
non-Indian citizens to obtain a Protected Area Permit
(PAP) to visit the protected/ restricted areas in India.
● This requirement is in addition to getting an Indian visa.
To get the permit, the foreign nationals must meet
certain requirements.
● Even Indian citizens who are not residents of those
areas require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter these
places. The Inner Line Permit is, however, significantly
easier to get.
● Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, and Myanmar
can get the PAP only with the approval of the Union
Ministry of Home Affairs
Duration of PAP:
● The PAP is normally valid for a duration of 10 days, with
the option of extension for another 7 days.
● The PAP is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
● However, the different authorities of the concerned
Indian states can also issue the PAP, and also the Indian
missions abroad.
Areas for which PAP is required
● Till recently, the PAP was required for north-eastern
states including the whole of Arunachal Pradesh,
Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim.
● With the current decision, the protected area in the
northeast will be restricted to Arunachal Pradesh and
Sikkim.
● Parts of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and
Jammu, and Kashmir also fall under the protected area
category and require PAP.
 ● In the case of Sikkim, some parts of the state fall under
the protected area regime while others are in the
restricted area.
● Previously, PAP was required for Assam, Meghalaya,
Tripura, and the Darjeeling area of West Bengal.

● Reang (Bru) is one of the 21 scheduled tribes of the Indian

state of Tripura. The Bru can be found all over the Tripura
state in India. They speak the Reang dialect of Kokborok
language which is of Tibeto-Burmese origin and is locally
referred to as Kau Bru.
● The Brus spread across Tripura, Mizoram, and parts of
southern Assam are the most populous tribe in Tripura.
Also known as Reangs in the state, they are ethnically
different from the Mizos, with their distinct language and
dialect, and form one of the 21 scheduled tribes of Tripura.
Reangs or Brus are the second largest ethnic group in
Mizoram. They are ethnically different from the Mizos, with
their distinct language and dialect.
● In Tripura, they are recognized as a Particularly
Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
● While Mizoram has as many as 40,000 Brus living in the
state, in Tripura, their numbers stand at approximately
32,000, spread across six refugee camps in the state.
● Back in 1997, about 30,000 Bru-Reang tribals fled from
Mizoram and took shelter in Tripura’s refugee camps.
31. Who are the Bru refugees?
● These refugees were said to have fled from Mizoram due to
ethnic tensions. Before the agreement, these people were
living in temporary shelters at Kanchanpur, in North
Tripura.
● The Indian Government has been making several efforts for
permanent rehabilitation of the Bru-Reang crisis since
2010.
● Two state governments, Tripura and Mizoram, were in a
continuous process of settling them down through a
permanent solution.
● As per the information provided by Prime Minister Modi’s
official website, 1622 Bru-Reang refugee families were
returned to Mizoram.
● In 2018, the Government had offered them to peacefully
return to Mizoram. However, only 328 families (1369
individuals) accepted the offer and went back to Mizoram at
the time. After the agreement about 34,000 Bru refugees
will be settled in Tripura.
● Seeking an end to the 23-year-old Bru-Reang refugee
crisis, a quadripartite agreement was signed among
the Centre, state governments of Tripura, and
Mizoram and Bru-Reang representatives to facilitate
permanent settlement of Bru refugees in Tripura.