Ethnic Conflict in North-East India: Causes and Consequences

Ethnic conflict is a recurring phenomenon. North East India has been occupying a unique position in Indian Politics. This multi ethnic society comprises the state of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and the Himalayan state of Sikkim. North-East India, the entire region is an area which is a house of many internal strife and conflicts. North east India is home to large number of ethnic groups who came from different directions at different historical times. These groups belong to different racial stocks, speak different languages and have varied social-cultural traditions. However the alienation of ethnic people in different socio- economic and political sphere led to the emergence of ethnic assertion and ethnic conflict in northern region. The region’s history is full of ethnic and inter-ethnic conflicts till the beginning of the 21 century. The ethnic conflicts is Northeast India started in 1950 when the ethnic identity movements were launched. Sometimes, by tribal communities and sometimes by non-tribal one the issue of religion, language ‘Sons of the Soil’ and foreign nationals, ethnic separatism, migration, etc.