Northeast Fires
Frequent subversion of law and order is preventing the region's development
The violence in Nagaland last week that saw the torching of at least 20 government buildings by tribal organisations once again highlights the weak law and order infrastructure in the country's Northeast. The agitators were protesting against 33% reservation for women in urban local body elections. They felt that such quotas violated traditional Naga customary rights that are guaranteed by the Constitution. The violence forced the state government to cancel the polls. However, the agitators are now demanding that chief minister TR Zeliang and his entire cabinet step down.In the same vein, the three-month-old economic blockade in Manipur by Naga groups to protest against the state government's decision to carve new districts out of Naga-dominated hill areas has caused severe hardship. National Highway-2 is a lifeline of landlocked Manipur, and its frequent blockade by agitating groups creates a massive shortage of essentials in the Imphal Valley region. Although tripartite talks between the Manipur government, Nagas and the Centre have recently yielded a deal to lift the blockade, such pressure tactics that hold the livelihood of ordinary people to ransom are condemnable.
Both the above incidents highlight a fundamental problem with the North east that is preventing the region from realising its true development potential.
For long stakeholders in the Northeast have complained about being neglected by the rest of India. However, it's also true that Northeast communities want to preserve their culture and traditional way of life. While this is already guaranteed by the Constitution, using identity as a weapon to attack the state is unacceptable. The Northeast can't have it both ways Manipur can't demand better integration with the rest of India and yet try to prevent outsiders; the Nagas can't ask for development and yet violently subvert state institutions at the drop of a hat.
Plus, law and order is the basic enabler of development. And only the state can have a monopoly over violence. The refusal of Northeast tribal groups to accept this is at the heart of the problem. Protests should be carried out peacefully . Agitators can seek legal remedies. If law and order is continually subverted, neither will the Northeast attract investments nor will it benefit from serving as a bridge between India and Southeast Asia. Development of the Northeast is crucial for India's Act East policy . But frequent violence in the region will keep it trapped in backwardness.
Source: Times of India, 6-02-3017
Both the above incidents highlight a fundamental problem with the North east that is preventing the region from realising its true development potential.
For long stakeholders in the Northeast have complained about being neglected by the rest of India. However, it's also true that Northeast communities want to preserve their culture and traditional way of life. While this is already guaranteed by the Constitution, using identity as a weapon to attack the state is unacceptable. The Northeast can't have it both ways Manipur can't demand better integration with the rest of India and yet try to prevent outsiders; the Nagas can't ask for development and yet violently subvert state institutions at the drop of a hat.
Plus, law and order is the basic enabler of development. And only the state can have a monopoly over violence. The refusal of Northeast tribal groups to accept this is at the heart of the problem. Protests should be carried out peacefully . Agitators can seek legal remedies. If law and order is continually subverted, neither will the Northeast attract investments nor will it benefit from serving as a bridge between India and Southeast Asia. Development of the Northeast is crucial for India's Act East policy . But frequent violence in the region will keep it trapped in backwardness.
Source: Times of India, 6-02-3017
