StrPresent States of Insurgency in NE

If one goes by the classical definition of insurgency as an armed struggle by a section of people against the lawfully constituted government, it can be concluded that classical insurgency has almost ceased to exist in the region. The most important element of an insurgent movement is the popular support which has greatly eroded in the recent past.

• The situation has been brought under control by coordinated efforts of the Indian Army, Paramilitary Forces, State Police and Intelligence Agencies.
• Extremism, terrorism, gun-running and other forms of criminal activities have overtaken classical insurgency.
• In Nagaland, all the three major insurgent groups are in Ceasefire with the Government of India. The mother of all groups NSCN (IM) was the first to join the Ceasefire process in 1997. In Manipur, of the more than 50 small or big extremist groups, many are in Suspension of Operations (SoO) with the Central Government. But, the most dominant groups i.e. the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) still retain sufficient potency to carry out violent activities.
• Similarly, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh are relatively peaceful. In Meghalaya, the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) has been indulging in terror activities in some areas.
• But the main problem in the North East remains. In spite of the Central Government’s efforts, alienation of the people and perceived grievances still continue.