Inter-State Border Disputes In North East India & Its Spillover Effects

Northeast India has been witnessing inter-state border disputes since the early 1960s when the process of reorganization of the state of Assam commenced. Border disputes of Northeast India mainly include inter-state conflict between Assam–Mizoram, Assam–Arunachal Pradesh, Assam–Nagaland and Assam–Meghalaya.

Disputes in North-East India

  • The reorganization of the State of Assam, starting from Nagaland in 1963 gave rise to 4 inter-state border disputes in Northeastern region, including Assam-Meghalaya dispute-

(i) Assam-Meghalaya dispute over 12 points including Langpih, Boko, etc. in Kamrup, Kamrup Metropolitan and Hailakandi districts. These disputes stemmed from the Meghalaya government’s refusal to accept the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969.

(ii) Assam-Nagaland dispute over Naga Hills and all Naga- dominated area in North Cachar and Nagaon districts, which were part of Naga territory under 1866 notification from British. As per Assam, Nagaland has been encroaching upon over 66,000 hectares in Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts.

(iii) Assam-Mizoram dispute over boundaries in southern Assam's Barak Valley and the Lushai Hills, based on two British-era notifications of 1875 and 1933 with Mizoram demanding boundary as decided in 1875.

(iv) Assam-Arunachal Pradesh dispute over forested tracts in the plain areas of border.

Reasons for Inter-state Border Disputes in North-East India

  • Colonial policy to create and recreate boundaries was based on administrative convenience or commercial interests leading to present day claims and counter claims in regions like Northeast.
  • Lack of implementation of recommendation of committees set up on border disputes. E.g., Nagaland rejected Sundaram Commission report on its dispute with Assam. Similarly, Meghalaya rejected the Y.V. Chandrachud Committee report on its dispute with Assam.
  • Constitutional and statutory mechanisms have not been effective in addressing the border disputes.
  • Under Article 131, the Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court extends to any dispute between two or more states. However either there is delay in resolving these disputes or states are not satisfied with the decision of Supreme Court. E.g.
    • The Assam-Arunachal Pradesh dispute has been pending before the Supreme Court since 1989.
    • In the Assam-Nagaland dispute, one or both states expressed reservation on the Supreme Court appointed commission report or did not accept Supreme Court appointed mediators report respectively.
  • Article 263 provides for Inter-State Council which is competent enough to inquire and advice upon disputes between states. But it was appointed only after Sarkaria Commission recommendations in 1990 and moreover the meetings are not frequently held.
  • The meetings of Zonal Councils set up under the States Re-organisation Act, 1956 and North Eastern Council under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 are less frequent and mainly revolve around other issues.
  • There are limitations on Union Government to intervene as it can act as a facilitator for settlement of the dispute only with willing cooperation of the concerned State Governments.
  • Inter-state disputes are used for vote-bank politics to fulfill political interests.
  • Threat perception of indigenous people from migration of outsiders
  • Economic competition between states for resources.
  • Complexities of terrain or geographical features like forests, rivers etc. to properly identify and mark boundaries.

Spillover Effects of Inter-State Border Disputes in North-East

Social

  • Damage to social fabric, threatening social harmony of the region
  • Leads to rise in conflicts and permanent tension
  • Increase in vulnerability of women and children and constant threat of perceived violence against them.
  • Rise in prejudices and value of intolerance

Economical

  • Loss of lives, livelihood and property
  • Loss of human resource due to disruption in education and health services
  • Declining investor confidence
  • Inadequate development of infrastructure
  • Loss to public exchequer
  • Diversion of funds towards maintenance of law and order
  • Lack of Growth and Development in the disputed regions.

Political

  • Trust deficit between states leading to Domino effect in other inter-state disputes such as river water, migration of people etc.
  • Rise of insurgent activities and secessionist and separatist tendencies posing a threat to internal security.
  • Declining trust in government institutions and law and order machinery.
  • Hinders implementation of foreign policy goals of India as North-east forms important component of India’s foreign policy of connecting India with the east.

It is time to find a lasting solution to the border problem in the North East, which would not only result in harmonious relations between the many states involved, but would also serve as a key juncture in India's ‘Act East Policy,' given its proximity to ASEAN countries. Furthermore, China's presence in India's North East via the Belt and Road Initiative makes it all the more vital to resolve the North East's "internal border problems" as soon as practicable.

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