The defining feature about India these days is that it has been successfully resolving contentious issues that were unresolved for decades. Abrogation of Article 370, clearing the pathfor a resolution of the Ram Mandir issue, citizenship to those minorities who fled from neighbouring theocratic states are some of the measures that can be mentioned.

True to this trend, the North-eastern part of India has also resolved some of its long-standing issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has ensured that the North-eastern States also acquire the same developmental pace as the rest of nation by hugely investing in its infrastructural necessities and making the region a driving force of India’s Act East policy. With two major decisions recently, the government has also ensured that the trend of freeing regions from their old shackles also reflects in the context of the Northeast.

One is the settlement of Bru-Reang and another is the signing of Bodo Accord.

Bru-Reang Settlement

When an ethnic clash intensified in the 90s, it resulted in the displacement of more than 30,000 Brus. They have been living as refugees in Tripura since 1997. After the Bru community expressed reluctance to return to their old homes in Mizoram as per the July 2018 agreement signed between the parties, citing concerns for their security, the Modi government evolved a new deal by taking the affected people and the two state governments into confidence.

This agreement signed on January 16, 2020 makes way for the Bru refugees to be settled in Tripura and a rehabilitation package of Rs 600 crores has been announced. Each Bru family would be given 40×30 sq.ft. residential plots, in addition to the aid under earlier agreement of a fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakhs, Rs 5,000 cash aid per month for 2 years, free ration for 2 years and Rs 1.5 lakhs aid to build their house.

The deal was signed in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, in addition to other prominent leaders of the Northeast including Chief Minister of Mizoram, Mr. Zoramthanga, Chief Minister of Tripura, Mr. Biplab Kumar Deb, Chairman ofNEDA Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Chairman of TIPRA, Mr. Pradyot Kishore Debbarma.

With this, thousands of people who were living a life of uncertainty, almost like refugees in their own country, have been given a new lease of life.

 

Bodo Accord Puts Full Stop to Long-standing Conflict

On January 27, 2020, thegovernment of India signed a tripartite agreement with representatives of all factions of the banned organisation National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

The pact, signed in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, has ensured that the state of Assam will not lose its territorial integrity. In turn, the Bodo groups have given up their demand of a separate state and surrendered their arms.

The Union and the state governments have given commitments to protect the language and culture of Bodo people. A special package of Rs 1,500 crore is earmarked for the development of the region.

It is noteworthy that over 1,615 cadres of different factions of the NDFB have surrendered their arms and joined the mainstream within two days of the signing of the agreement. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Assam’s Kokrajhar on February 7th to celebrate the signing of the Bodo Agreement, lakhs of people gathered and cheered the decision.

For many people, it may be difficult to understand the true significance of this peaceful resolution. However, this marks the end of a conflict that saw hundreds of lives being lost over the decades.

Peace and Development – Northeast Writing a New Chapter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his speech in Kokrajhar had explained how the government ensured development and peace in Northeast when he said:

“The solutions were found through deliberations and discussions with all concerned and with empathy. They were found as we dealt with everyone as our own and not as outsiders. We conversed with them and made them feel one of our own. This has helped reduce extremism. Earlier, there were about 1,000 killings in the Northeast due to extremism but today, on the whole, the situation is normal and peaceful.”

Official data further shows how insurgency has been contained under the Narendra Modi government. The year 2018 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency incidents and civilian deaths since 1997. According to the Annual Report of the Ministry of Home Affairs 2018-19, insurgency incidents declined significantly by 66%, civilians casualties by 79%,  casualties of Security Forces by 23% and kidnapping/abduction cases by 62% in the region in 2018 when compared to the year 2013.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a glimpse of development in the region when he said in Kokrajhar, Assam,

“Over 3,000 kilometers of roads have been built in the Northeast in the last three-four years. New national highways have been approved. The entire Northeast rail network has been converted into broad gauge. There is also a focus on strengthening the youth of the Northeast with new institutions of education, skill and sports. Apart from this, new hostels have also been created for students of Northeast in Delhi and Bengaluru.”

In Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Northeast has seen both peace and pace.