She also confirmed that the per capital gross state domestic product of the region is significantly lesser than that of the rest of the country. Similarly, the region’s share of road and rail networks as well as energy consumption is also below the national average. She accepted that the literacy rate in the region is higher than the national average, but this has not resulted in a high rate of employment due to the lack of economic and industrial activities in the region.

 

She also said, “It is the responsibility of the states in the region as well as the nation as a whole to address these developmental challenges. It is crystal clear that the region needs peace before it can realize its full potential and catch up with the rest of the country. We must be able to guarantee security of life and property to the people and create an environment that is conducive to investment, both public and private”.

While referring the Parliamentary Standing Committee Report, focusing on the problem of insurgency in the North East, she said that there is a need for a two – pronged strategy for the region (NE), i.e. dealing with insurgency on one hand and working for development on the other. The committee has recognized the North East insurgency problem as a national problem.

She felt that there is a need to take initiatives to bring those influenced by the cult of violence, into the mainstream of our society. It appeared as if she was advocating for expediting the peace talks. “Every one involved has to realize that violence and democracy can not co-exist. Movements which are instrumental in depriving ordinary citizens of their fundamental rights to life and liberty and undermining development can not claim any place in a democratic society. What this region needs today, more than anything else, is the right atmosphere for development,” said Meira Kumar. The Speaker also called upon everyone in the society to discard violence as a means to achieve political objectives.

The conference was organized on the subject “The impact of insurgency activity in North East India on Socio – Economic Development and its Solution Thereof.” Mr. R. Romawia, Speaker, Mizoram Legislative Assembly felt that military operation alone in crushing insurgency is not a viable option. Rather, we need to win the hearts and minds of the insurgent groups so that they can be convinced that the government is concerned about their problems.

Earlier, Mr. Charles Pyngrope, Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, offered his welcome address and said that the conference will build bridges of fellowship among people belonging to diverse, racial, ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds and strengthen Parliamentary institutions in their respective lands, ensure rule of law and basic human rights and fundamental freedom and provide a government responsible for the people.

The delegates from all seven sister states of the North East region and also Sikkim, while talking to this reporter, informed that no new perspective to the solutions of the problem of the region was discussed. Nothing was discussed about cross border terrorism and the need to neutralize the insurgent activities in the neighbouring countries. They said that it is old wine in a new bottle.

The above comment can be substantiated by the words of the Speaker of Sikkim Mr. K. T. Gyaltsen. In his brief speech he reiterated the  fact that it was the 12th Annual Conference of the NERCPA and as such talks have been going on for over a decade. The potent question surrounding insurgency and development was placed as such and I quote “Is insurgency behind the lack of development or is development the reason behind insurgency?” Mr. K. T. Gyaltsen raised four very widely spoken of yet untapped aspects of the region namely culture, heritage, natural resources and natural beauty all of which combined lend an edge to the region with regards to tourism but till today apart from Sikkim the edge is being dulled. The Speaker had suggested four ways of dealing with the problem of insurgency. Firstly, he said that the mindset of the people needs to be changed. The mindset has to relate to bringing about an emotional integration of the people. Not only must mainland India reach us but we also must do what we can to reach them. Secondly, human Resource Development and Capacity Building is very essential and the emphasis in this should be on quality education. Thirdly, the Look East Policy had some promises but the lack of human touch was a cause of worry. The point was clear that in making a policy for the region the policy makers should visit the region and then proceed. Indeed we need to be in the field to know the field. Finally, other major hurdles which ought to be overcome are deficits in communication and transport.

While the Speaker of Sikkim acknowledged the fact that his state enjoys peace and as such development is on the fast track under the leadership of the ruling Chief Minister P.K. Chamling, the Speakers from other states could not do so. This in itself says a lot about the impact of insurgency in the North East region of India.

Dr. B. Singh, the Speaker of Manipur also shared his views as to why this problem of insurgency is there in the first place. He believes that poverty is the main cause of insurgency. The next cause is unemployment. Out of a population of 24 lakh in Manipur, 6 lakh people were registered as educated unemployed youth. This is a figure which very startling and it raises a lot of questions about the governments of the past and present both at the state and center levels. Thirdly geography is another aspect which should be understood by the policy makers as ideas implemented in the hilly areas may not be practical or feasible in the plains and vice versa. Finally, a lack of knowledge about opportunities and under developed communications are the major hindrances in getting rid of the menace of insurgency.

The only solution which he could suggest was a ‘time bound determination’ to make sure that the elusive peace in some pockets of the region may not remain so elusive any more.

All in all, there is cause for concern as in the never ending race towards development, a few states of the region have lost track of the cause. After all, life is too short to cling to age old grudges. We must let go of the transgressions of the past for the sake of a more peaceful and prosperous tomorrow.

Harsh Jhunjhunwala