Introduction

Historically, insurgency in the North-East drew strength from identity grievances, difficult terrain, and cross-border sanctuaries. Recent years show a sharp fall in violence alongside a shift to dialogue and development-centric stabilization. Extremist incidents fell 76% from 2014 to 2022, enabling focused reforms.

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Major Challenges to Internal Security in the North-East

• Insurgency and Armed Groups: Presence of multiple outfits (NSCN, ULFA, NDFB, Kuki groups) sustaining violence, extortion, and arms smuggling.
  • Eg: Government counts 8,000+ surrenders since 2014, indicating persistent but weakening networks.
• Cross-Border Issues: Porous borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Bhutan enable insurgent sanctuaries, trafficking, and illegal migration.
  • Eg: AFSPA remains in select pockets due to residual cross-border risks.
• Weak Infrastructure & Terrain: Difficult geography, poor connectivity, and limited state presence make security operations challenging.
• Narcotics and Illicit Trade: Proximity to the “Golden Triangle” fuels drug trafficking and arms smuggling networks.

Major Challenges to Peace Process in the North-East

• Ethnic Fragmentation: Conflicting demands of Nagas, Kukis, Bodos, and other groups complicate a unified settlement.
  • Eg: Naga frameworks alongside Kuki-Zomi and Bodo processes create parallel tracks needing careful synchronization.
• Trust Deficit: Delays in implementing accords and perceived neglect by the state create dissatisfaction and relapse into violence.
• Overlapping Claims: Territorial disputes between states (e.g., Assam–Meghalaya, Assam–Arunachal) and between communities hinder durable peace.
• Parallel Governance by Militants: Many groups run extortion networks and “tax regimes,” undermining state authority and peace effort.

Major Peace Accords in the Past Decade

• Bodo Peace Accord 2020 (Assam): With NDFB factions and ABSU, leading to Bodo Territorial Region.
• NLFT Accord 2019 (Tripura): Rehabilitation of NLFT cadres laying down arms.
• Karbi Peace Accord 2021 (Assam):  Ended decade-long Karbi Anglong crisis as 1,000 armed cadres surrendered and joined the mainstream.
• ANVC Peace Accord 2014 (Meghalaya): 751 cadres of the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) laid down arms.

Major Agreement in the Past Decade

• Bru–Reang Agreement 2020 (Tripura): Permanent resettlement of displaced Bru tribes in Tripura.
• Ceasefire Agreements (Nagaland): With Naga factions (NSCN-K, NSCN-R) for sustained dialogue.
• ULFA Peace Agreement 2023 (Manipur): ULFA agreed to renounce violence, surrender arms, and join the democratic process while upholding national integrity. 

Conclusion

The Government can add citizen-centric policing and fast-track justice for conflict crimes; expand cross-border humanitarian coordination with Myanmar and Bangladesh. It can launch anti-extortion hotlines with witness protection. Enhanced community-led development via autonomous councils, and job creation could be other ways to tackle the North East crisis.

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