First Consultative Conclave of Women from Northeast India

Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace

A framework for action for democracy, human rights, economic justice

and conflict prevention in India’s Northeast region

Date: Saturday, 13 June 2009

Venue: Conference Room I, India International Centre
40 Max Mueller Marg, Near Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Road
New Delhi 110003
Time: 10 am to 5 pm

Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network

Delhi office : c/o Control Arms Foundation of India
B5/146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi -110029
Tel: 91- 11- 46018541, Fax: 91-11-26166234
contact@cafi-online.org, www.cafi-online.org

1
 CONTENT

S.No Topics Pages

3- 5
1. Programme Schedule
6-7
2. Concept Notes
8-9
3. Profile of Speakers
10- 15
4. Introduction to Northeast India: Socio-economic
Indicator of Northeast and India
I. General
II. Demography
III. Health
IV. Education
V. Other Economic Indicator
VI. Crime against Women
16- 21
5. Excerpts from Ministry of Home Affairs Report 2008 on
North East India
22- 23
6. Overview of Peace Accord in Northeast India

24- 27
7. Excerpts from 11th Five year Plan on Northeast Region
28- 30
8. Highlights of Poverty Alleviation Policy Initiative in
Northeast India
31- 35
9. Women & Law

36- 45
10. Appendix- I List of Insurgent Groups/ Armed Groups in
Northeast India
Appendix- II State Wise Security Situation during the Year
2003- 2007
Appendix- III AFSPA, 1958 and its Provisions
Appendix- IV UN SC Resolution 1325

Please note: This background paper is to help in the proceedings of the conclave. The facts, data and
material selected in the background paper are from local, national and international open sources. We
wish we could give more papers but due to logistics, we are able to share only these.

2
 PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

First Consultative Conclave of Women from Northeast India

Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace

A framework for action for democracy, human rights, economic justice and
conflict prevention in India‘s Northeast region

Date: Saturday, 13 June 2009

Venue: Conference Room I, India International Centre
40 Max Mueller Marg, Near Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003
Time: 10 am to 5 pm

Timing Programme Schedule

9: 30 am Registration

Timing Conclave Session I : Introduction

Chair: Lt General (retd) Dr. B.S Malik, President Control Arms Foundation of India

10.00 am Welcome & introduction to the First Consultative Conclave By Ms Binalakshmi Nepram,
Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivor Network.

10.05 am Self-introduction of all participants of the Conclave.

10.15 am Film on ―Four women peacemakers - their personal stories of courage, achievement and hope‖.
Courtesy : Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, San Diego

10.30 am Chief Guest Address by Shri Jarnail Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Department of Development of
Northeast India Region

10.45 am ―Northeast Women: Towards Peace, Justice and Equality‖ by Ms Rosemary Dzuvichu, Asst.
Professor, Nagaland University and Expert Member, National Commission for Women (NCW),
New Delhi on empowerment of Northeast Women

11.00 am Keynote Speech by Dr Monisha Behal, Chairperson, Northeast Network

11.15 am Tea Break

Timing Consultative Conclave Session II: Listening to each other - stories of women and war in
Northeast India Region. Chair: Professor Anuradha Chenoy, School of International Studies,
JNU, New Delhi

11.30 am ―Assam‘s Conflict and Finding Ways to Solution Through Women‘s Work, Writing and
Activism‖ by Ms Uddipana Goswami, Contributing Editor on Assamese literature with Muse
India.

11.45 am ―Emergence of Naga Mother Association and other Women Movements‖ By Ms Elizabeth Imti,
Parliamentary Affairs Coordinator, Control Arms Foundation of India.

12.00 pm ―Ethnicisation in Manipur: What is the roadmap to peace ahead?‖ by Ms Sandhyarani Chanu
President, Manipur Student‘s Association, Delhi (MSAD).

12.15 pm Film titled Gun War and Drug Deaths by Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Founder, Manipur Women

3
 Gun Survivor Network.

12.30pm Consultation Time/ Questions from the floor

01:00pm Lunch Break

Timing Consultative Conclave : Session III - Taking Charge of Our lives, Our rights
Chair: Ms Jaya Shrivastava, Former Director, Ankur- Society for Alternatives in Education

2.00 pm ―Women and Conflict: Implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325/1820 and
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in India‘s
Northeast‖ by Ms Sreekala, Executive Director, North East Network

2.15 pm ―Women In Politics & Peace Building In India‘s Northeast‖ By Ms Lian Vaiphei, Lecturer, Political
Science, IP College, Delhi University

2.30 pm ―Militarization, Women and Non-State Armed Groups In India‘s Northeast and International
Humanitarian Law‖ By Ms Juliee Sharma, Control Arms Foundation of India

2.45 pm ―Impact of armed violence on the psyche and personality development of the people in Northeast
India and ways to address it‖ By Ms Bibinaz Thockchom, Programme Officer, HAQ, Centre for
Child Rights, New Delhi

3.00 pm ―Enabling North East India: Sharing the work of the Foundation for Social Transformation- (FST)‖
by Ms Ketaki Bardaloi, Foundation for Social Transformation, Guwahati, Assam

3.15 pm ―Empowering Northeast India Women through Technology for Peace‖ by Ms Gayatri
Buragohain, Founder, Feminist Approach to Technology (FAT)

3.30 pm Consultation Time/ Questions from the floor

Timing Concluding Session. Moderated by Ms Rosemary Dzuvichu, Asst. Professor, Nagaland

University and Expert Member, National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi on
empowerment of Northeast Women and Ms Sreekala, Executive Director, North East Network

3.45 pm Screening of the film “Elusive Doves: Peace Processes in North East India”. Courtesy: Asia
Indigenous People‘s Pact Foundation.

4.00 pm Working together to draft the First Frame-Work of Action for democracy, human rights, economic
justice and conflict prevention in India‘s Northeast.

4.30 pm Valedictory Address by Smt Radha Bhatt, Chairperson, Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi

4.45 pm Vote of thanks By Ms Elizabeth Imti, Parliamentary Affairs Coordinator, Control Arms
Foundation of India

5.00 pm Tea

For any questions and participation, please contact the following Convenors of the Consultative Conclave
Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network &Control Arms Foundation of India

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Ms Elizabeth Imti & Ms Juliee Sharma

B 5 / 146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi - 110 029
Phone: +91-11-46018541 Mobile: 9891210264 & 9953749725
Email: Binalakshmi@gmail.com/ elizabeth.imti@gmail.com

4
 RATIONALE OF THE MEETING
First Meeting of Women from Northeast India based in NCR Delhi

Northeast India Women Initiatives for Peace

A framework for action for democracy, human rights, economic justice and
conflict prevention in India‘s Northeast region

Date: Saturday 13 June 2009

Venue : Conference Room I, India International Centre,
40 Max Mueller Marg, Near Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003
Time : 10 am to 5 pm

For more than a century women and women‘s organisations and movements have mobilised in support of social
empowerment, economic justice, democracy, human rights and conflict prevention. It started as early as April
28, 1915 for the first time in history when nearly 1,200 women called ―International Congress for Women‖ from
warring and neutral countries came together to protest the conflict at the Hague in Holland. This later became
the Women‘s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) 1.

One of the most evident mobilising factors is the building of numerous organisations from women‘s roles as
mothers. Women have often organised to protect their children as in the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo
protesting the ―disappearance‖ of their children in Argentina. And in Sri Lanka, a group of more than two
thousand women from across Sri Lanka directly affected by the war. In the 1990s women have also continued
anti-war action as mothers in Macedonia and in Chechenya.

Northeast India and Women’s Movement

Northeast India comprising of the seven states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland, and Tripura is facing the onslaught of multiple armed conflicts since the late 1940s. No other part of
India or South Asia has been subjected to such a prolonged violent struggle, which have held development to
ransom, as the Northeast. The fire of insurgency has for long engulfed this strategic region for the last half a
century or more making it one of the South Asia's most disturbed regions.

And it is not likely that this violence will end soon. In fact, the violence seems to be increasing with each passing
day and the situation is becoming more and more complex. A level of militarization has engulfed India‘s
Northeast under the garb of insurgency and counter-insurgency. And in the process women are assaulted,
humiliated, raped and murdered during conflicts which are not of their making. In the words of Anuradha
Chenoy, "In 99 per cent of the world‘s wars, the decision to wage them has been taken by men; women have only
supported "men‘s wars". Women are used by the state and non-state actors in different ways during conflict and
in the practice of militarism without being conscious of it". Women in the region need to understand the political
economy of militarism, to look at measures to bring peace and justice in the region.

Women groups in Northeast India have developed many a powerful programme of direct, non-violent, action
designed to confront the armed violence of both insurgents and the security forces. However, most of their
actions remain in "protest" form and after the initial action dies down, nothing much happens. The women‘s
movement in India‘s Northeast that have emerged in response to the ongoing armed conflict is still now
confined to "saving the sons of the soil" syndrome. We need to make ourselves, we the women in India‘s
northeast understand the issues of war, conflict, peace. We need to understand the political economy of violence,
the militarization of Northeast societies. Besides, we also need to understand many of the internationally known
United Nations Resolutions on women and peace building which rremains just on paper such as United Nations
Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820.

1
Emily Schroeder, “Women and Disarmament Movements: Evolution and Continuity”, WILPF, 2004
5
In India‘s northeast, women have always played a major role in many peace and social movements. Concepts of
solidarity amongst women‘s groups are very strong in the region. This is often illustrated in the existence of self-
help groups, traditional cooperative systems, women‘s markets and other forms of cooperative village action.
Women‘s contribution in the economic sphere is great and women have some amount of economic autonomy 2.

The first ever-organised women‘s protest in entire Northeast India has its origins in the first Nupilal or
‗Women‘s War‘ of 1904. This took place in the state of Manipur and became a landmark in the history of
women‘s movement in entire Northeast India. The other strong women‘s movement that came about was the
establishment of Tangkhul Shanao Long (All Tangkhul Women's Association). The Naga Mother‘s Association
(NMA) is the one of the best well known women‘s organisation in Northeast India which is working on peace
issues. Mention may be made of the Bodo Women's Justice Forum, Kasturba Gandh Memorial Trust, Anchalik
Mahila Samitis and Sajagata Samiti of Assam etcIn the matrilineal communities of Meghalaya women have a
certain degree of control over economic resources and together with the women of Manipur and Mizoram play a
very important role in trade and commerce. In Mizoram the women have been the key mobilisers for financial
resources for the church through the practice of buhfaitham. This consists of putting aside a handful of rice for the
church for every handful that is consumed by the family3.

The proposed meeting aims to draw a blue print for women in Northeast India to strategise an Action Plan for
rebuilding peace, providing justice and political rights in a society ruptured by years of conflict. It will look at all
the plans drawn up at the local, national and international level to end violence against women and see in what
way women in Northeast can use the knowledge and empower themselves. This will be done through a series of
action plans which are listed as follows.

This action plan will be drawn up in a series of meetings starting from the 13 June 2009 meeting which will
be a conclave of women from Northeast India which are based in Delhi and these meetings will be continued
throughout 2009 in collaboration with India International Centre.

2
North East Network, Women in Armed Conflict Situations, 2005
3
Ibid
6
 PROFILE OF SPEAKERS

Shri Jarnail Singh

Sh. Jarnail Singh, an IAS officer of Manipur-Tripura 1974 batch is currently Secretary, Ministry of
Development of Northeast India Region (DONER). He was awarded ―Prime Minister‘s Award for
Excellence in Public Administration‖ for the year 2007-08 on the National Civil Services Day on 21st
April 2009. The award has been conferred for introducing innovations in State administration when
Sh. Jarnail Singh was Chief Secretary of the Manipur state government from August 2004 to July 2008.
He developed a system named ―Computerization of Personnel Information System‖ and developed a
legal frame work by enactment of an Act called ―Manipur Public Servants‘ Personnel Liability Act
2006‖.

Ms Rosemary Dzuvichu
Ms Rosemary Dzuvichu is an Associate Professor, Nagaland University and Expert Member of
National Commission for Women, New Delhi for empowerment of Northeast women.

Dr Monisha Behal
Dr Monisha Behal is the Chairperson of Northeast Network.

Dr Anuradha M. Chenoy
Dr. Anuradha M. Chenoy is Professor, in the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru
University New Delhi. She works on International Relations, Russia, Central Asia and Gender issues.
She has been the Chairperson and Director of the Area Studies Program for Russia and Central Asia;
president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association. She has been on the governing
bodies of several institutions like the Indian Social Institute, Centre for Education and
Communication, New Delhi. She is also Vice President of Control Arms Foundation of India.

Lt. Gen (retd) Dr. B.S. Malik

Lt. Gen (retd) Dr. B.S. Malik, President, CAFI is a member of the Executive Council of the Institute for
Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), Governing Council of Netaji Subhash Institute of Management
Sciences (NIMS), Indian Pugwash Society, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) UK
and he is also a life member of the United Service Institution (USI) . He is also the President of the
Centre for Studies in International Relations and Development (CSIRD) and is working on a project on
BIMSTEC and Japan. There have been seven CSIRD publications apart from over thirty papers mostly
available on the net .The latest book is on ―Towards BIMSTEC-Japan Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation : The Benefits of Moving Together‖.

Ms Uddipana Goswami
Uddipana Goswami is a media consultant and PhD scholar at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.
Her focus areas are ethnicity, nationalism, migration, indigenous-settler conflicts, internal
displacement, conflict transformation and ethnic reconciliation in Northeast India. She has done
several studies on these issues notably for the University of Zurich, the East West Centre, Washington,
and the Indian Council of Historical Research, India. Uddipana has earlier worked with a number of
major media houses, like India Today and National Geographic Channel (India), before turning to
research. She is also a translator and creative writer, and currently, contributing editor on Assamese
literature with Muse India, a literary e-journal.

Ms Sandhyarani Chanu
Ms Sandhyarani Chanu is President of Manipur‘s Student Association, Delhi (MSAD). She displays
exemplary leadership qualities and is actively involved in social issues.
7
Ms Elizabeth Imti
Ms Elizabeth Imti is working as a Disarmament and Parliamentary Affairs Coordinator in Control
Arms Foundation of India. She has done her MPhil in Sociology from JNU and submitted her
dissertation on ‗Violence against Women in India‘. She presently writing her Phd paper on ‗Domestic
Abuse in Naga Society - A comparitive study of two Naga tribes.‘ She has also taught Master Program
in Nagaland University and has a flair for writing and research.

Smt Jaya Srivastava

Former Director - Ankur-Society for Alternatives in Education, she has been working with women,
young people and children in the slums of Delhi, for the last two decades. She has been active in the
Women‘s movement, Campaign against child labour (CACL), Campaign for right to education,
Movements for the Rights of displaced peoples, Movements for the rights of dalits and tribals,
Movements for communal harmony and peace, etc. etc. She has contributed to creation of alternative
curricula. She has actively participated in several advocacy and lobbying initiatives for intervention in
policy-making. She has been providing training inputs to various organizations on child- centred
education, women‘s issues, conflict and violence, globalization, organizational development etc.
Documentation and material-development are some of her major interest areas. She has presented
papers at national and international conferences.

Ms Sreekala MG
Sreekala MG is considered one of the prominent change makers of India. Currently she is the
Executive Director at North East Network (NEN), a women‘s organization working in north-east
focusing on women rights. Before NEN, she was working as Programme Coordinator in Sama, New
Delhi and Sr. Programme Associate at Equations, Bangalore. Her education path includes prominent
institutes like Christ College – Bangalore, Jawaharlal Nehru Vishvavidyalaya & University of
Bradford. Her specialties include Human Rights, CEDAW and UN Human Rights Mechanisms,
Women, Health, Conflict and hers interest comprise of reading and photography.

Ms Lianboi Vaiphei
Ms Lianboi Vaiphei teaches Political Science in Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi University
since 2006. This has led to a great deal of intellectual curiosity and has been reflected in her academic
papers, as she has written on the different issues that northeast faced such as Identity, Religion and its
impact on women etc. Moreover, she has also worked as a co-coordinator in the Northeast Cultural
Committee of Indraprastha College has given her a holistic understanding of the different issues faced
by the northeastern students in the metros.

Ms Juliee Sharma
Ms Juliee Sharma is a fresh law graduate from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. She wrote
her dissertation paper on 'Non State Armed Groups and Challenges to International Humanitarian
Law'. She holds a P.G Diploma in 'International Law and Diplomacy' from Indian Society for
International Law. She has a keen interest in International law, Human Rights, and Peace and Conflict
Resolution. Ms Juliee is presently working in Control Arms Foundation of India.

Ms Bibinaz Thockom
Bibinaz Thockom is a graduate and post-graduate in psychology with specialization in clinical
psychology from Delhi University. Her keen interests relates to issues like violence. She has worked
with ‗Swachetan Society for mental health‘, an NGO working with Delhi Police. She worked as a
Program Executive responsible for providing psychotherapy for sexually abused victims & domestic
violence. At present Bibinaz is working as Programme Officer, HAQ, Centre for Child Rights for past

8
three months and had gained experience in Juveniles in Conflict with Law. She works closely with the
judicial system and trains probation officers on profiling cases, educating on juvenile justice.

Ms Ketaki Bardoloi
Ms Ketaki Bardaloi is the head of the Foundation for Social Transformation (FST), Gauhati, Assam.

Ms Gayatri Buragohain
Ms Gayatri is the founder of Feminist Approach to Technology (FAT) which was created in 2007 with
the belief that effective female empowerment comes through technology education. She has done her
graduation in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from Assam Engineering College. She
has been in web technology for past 8 years and has done a number of trainings for women in
technical skills. In 2008 she was awarded the prestigious Anita Borg Institute‘s ―Sisters Pass it On‖
award for her work with FAT.

Dr Radha Bhatt
Dr. Radha Bhatt is the Chairperson of Gandhi Peace Foundation. She is dedicated to the Gandhian
vision, lives it out in her daily life. She also runs a Lakshmi Ashram in Kausani in Uttar Pradesh,
India.

Ms. Binalakshmi Nepram

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, born in the state of Manipur located in India's Northeast region state is a
writer-activist who in 2004 co-founded India's first civil society organization which is working on
conventional disarmament issues, namely the Control Arms Foundation of India. And in 2007, in
order to help thousands of women who are affected by rising gun violence in her home-state Manipur,
she launched the Manipuri Women Gun Survivor Network. She is also author of two books, "South
Asia's Fractured Frontier: Armed Conflict, Narcotics and Small Arms Proliferation in India's
Northeast" and "Meckley", a historical fiction based on the conflict in Manipur. A new book (edited
volume) titled "India and the Arms Trade Treaty" was also recently launched in April 2009.

Ms Nepram is also an active member of International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL),

International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) and Cluster Munitions Coalition. She has
represented Indian civil society in various disarmament meetings held at United Nations in New
York.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDICATOR OF NORTH EAST INDIA

9
 I. General

Name of Area (Sq. No. of No. of No. of No. of

States Km) Districts Blocks Towns and Villages
Cities
Arunachal 83743.00 13 54 17 4065.00
Pradesh

Assam 78438.00 23 214 125 26312

Manipur 22327 9 34 33 2391.00

Mizoram 21081.00 8 30 22 817.00

Meghalaya 22429.00 7 39 16 6026.00

Nagaland 16579.00 8 52 9 1317.00

Sikkim 7096.00 4 8 9 452.00

Tripura 10486.00 4 38 23 870

Source: Census of India 2001

II. Demography

Distribution of Urban & Rural Population in Northeast India

Name of States Rural Population Urban Population Total Population

Arunachal Pradesh 868429 222688 1091117

Assam 23248994 3389413 26638407

Manipur 1818224 570410 2388643

Mizoram 450018 441040 891058

Meghalaya 1853457 452612 2306069

Nagaland 1635815 352821 1988636

Sikkim 480488 60005 540493

Tripura 2648074 543094 3191168

10
Source: Census of India 2001

Distribution of Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Population to Total Population

Name of State SC Population ST Population

Arunachal Pradesh 6188 705158

Assam 1825949 3308570

Manipur 60037.00 741141

Mizoram 272.00 839310

Meghalaya 11139.00 1992862

Nagaland … 1774026

Sikkim 27165 111405

Tripura 555724 993426

Source: Census of India 2001

State wise Population Density (per square kilometre)

Name of State Population Density (per sq km)

Arunachal Pradesh 13.11

Assam 339.83

Manipur 97.05

Mizoram 42.15

Meghalaya 103.38

Nagaland 236.37

Sikkim 76.22

Tripura 305.07

11
State wise data of Population below poverty line (1999-2000)

Name of State Economic Human Nutrition Basic

Poverty Poverty Poverty Amenities
(2004-2005) (2001) (2004-2005) Poverty (2001)
Arunachal Pradesh 17.6% R- 45.4% R- 28.6% R- 45.9%
U- 19.25 U-41% U-16%

Assam 19.7% R- 45% R- 24.7% R- 59.5%

U- 16.2% U- 23.5% U- 21.1%

Manipur 17.3% R- 38.2% R- 8.1% R- 51.8%

U- 18.5% U- 7.1 U- 23%

Mizoram 12.6% R- 37.4% R- 27.3% R- 49.1%

U- 5.2% U- 30.2% U-11.2%

Meghalaya 18.5% R- 12.6% R- 40.1% R- 70.8%

U-12.6% U- 42.2 U- 19.1%

Nagaland 19.0% R- 39.8% R- 24% R- 51.9%

U- 17.7% U- 19.7% U- 20.7%

Sikkim 20.1% R- 28.6% R- 41.4% R- 38.9%

U- 7.5% U- 30.2% U- 6.1%

Tripura 18.9% R- 43.8% R- 43.9% R- 53.1%

U- 15.2% U- 22.7% U- 13.9%

Source: Poverty Eradication/Alleviation in Northeast India, Summary Report by National Institute of

Rural Development (NIRD) and North Eastern Regional Centre (NERC).

III. Health

State wise data on Crude Birth/ Death Rate

Name of States Crude Birth Rate Crude Death Rate

Arunachal Pradesh 23.3 5.0

Assam 25.0 8.7

Manipur 14.7 4.1

Mizoram 18.8 5.1

Meghalaya 25.1 7.5

Nagaland 16.4 3.8

12
Sikkim 19.9 5.1

Tripura 16.0 5.7

IV. Education

Literacy rate (2001 CENSUS)

Name of State Male Female Total Rank

Arunachal Pradesh 63.83 43.53 54.34 32

Nagaland 71.16 61.46 66.59 22

Manipur 80.33 60.53 70.53 15

Mizoram 90.72 86.75 88.80 2

Tripura 81.02 64.91 73.19 13

Meghalaya 65.43 59.61 62.56 27

Assam 71.28 54.61 63.25 25

Sikkim 68.8 76.0

Source: Census of India 2001.

State wise ratio of Gross enrolment and Drop out from School

Name of States Gross enrolment ratio Drop out ratio (I-VIII)

(Class I- VIII)
Arunachal Pradesh 98.82 60.02

Assam 99.54 69.21

Manipur 91.65 37.75

Mizoram 105.21 59.89

Meghalaya 94.26 76.99

Nagaland 89.72 53.36

Sikkim 97.72 63.41

Tripura 89.83 69.02

13
 V. Other Economic Indicator

Growth Rate in Domestic Product in Northeast States

Name of States Eight Plan Ninth Plan Tenth Plan

Target Actual
Arunachal 5.1 4.4 8.0 5.8
Pradesh
Assam 2.8 2.1 6.2 6.1

Manipur 4.6 6.4 6.5 11.6

Meghalaya 3.8 6.2 6.3 5.6

Mizoram NA NA 5.3 5.9

Nagaland 8.9 2.6 5.6 8.3

Sikkim 5.3 8.3 7.9 7.7

Tripura 6.6 7.4 7.3 8.7

Source: CSO (base 1999-2000 constant Price) as on 31.08.2007

Growth Rate for the 11th Five Year Plan

State Agriculture Industry service GSDP

Arunachal 2.8 8.0 7.2 6.4

Pradesh
Assam 2.0 8.0 8.0 6.5

Manipur 1.2 8.0 7.0 5.9

Meghalaya 4.7 8.0 7.9 7.3

Mizoram 1.6 8.0 8.0 7.1

Nagaland 8.4 8.0 10.0 9.3

Sikkim 3.3 8.0 7.2 6.7

Tripura 1.4 8.0 8.0 6.9

14
Source: planning commission

VI. Crime against Women

Sex Ration, Incidence and Rate of Crime committed against women in Northeast India

Name of States Sex Ratio (female Incidence % Contribution to all

per 1000 male) India Total

Arunachal Pradesh 893 180 0.1

Assam 935 4243 3.0

Manipur 978 112 0.1

Meghalaya 935 66 0.0

Mizoram 972 126 0.1

Nagaland 900 30 0.0

Sikkim 875 24 0.0

Tripura 948 438 0.3

15
EXCERPTS FROM MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS REPORT 2008 ON NORTH EAST
INDIA

The North Eastern region, comprising of eight States, viz. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, presents an intricate cultural and ethnic mosaic
with over 200 ethnic groups with distinct languages, dialects, and socio-cultural identity. Coupled
with factors related to geographical location and connectivity this, in turn, poses a variety of
challenges on the development and security fronts. The region also has extensive borders with
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Myanmar, and this has its own security implications. The regional
aspirations of the different groups in various States of the area, have added a further dimension to the
complexity of the situation.

Current Status of Militancy in the North East

The State-wise profile of violence during the last five years is indicated at Annexure-II.

During the year 2007, Sikkim reported no violence. The situation in Mizoram also remained peaceful.
There was low intensity violence in some parts of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, but the
situation largely remained peaceful. There has been significant improvement over the years in the
security situation in Tripura. During the year elections to the State Assemblies in Manipur,
Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura have been conducted peacefully.

The security situation in Assam and Manipur continued to be a matter of concern. In Assam, after a
lull, following a period of Suspension of Operations against ULFA in 2006, in the context of talks with
them, which was apparently utilised by them for consolidation and reorganisation of their cadres,
there was an increase in violence, particularly in areas of upper Assam and Guwahati city. Violence
attributable to some other insurgent groups has also been observed in areas of Karbi Anglong and
North Cachar Hill Districts. Keeping these trends in view, counter insurgency operations have been
stepped up and are being closely monitored. Towards this end, there has been close interaction with
the State Government authorities and other agencies, including visits to the State by the Home
Minister, Minister of State (J) in MHA, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary and other senior officers of
the Home Ministry.

Manipur continues to be affected by the activities of a large number of militant/insurgent outfits

divided on ethnic lines with competing demands, with the Meitei groups being mainly responsible for
the violence. Keeping the situation in view, sustained counter insurgency operations have been
mounted in close coordination between the State Government and the Central security
forces/agencies. As a result, the number of militants/ insurgents killed or arrested has gone up
significantly during the year. Also, the New Samtal area in district Chandel in south Manipur, which
had continued to be infested with insurgency, was largely cleared during the year, and action is
underway to reactivate the civil and developmental administration and activities in this area.

In Nagaland, the violence continued to be confined mostly to inter-factional clashes between different
groups. In overall terms, the number of incidents declined. Keeping in view the situation in the state,
action has also been initiated to establish a state-level Strategy Group and district level coordination
groups, with the aim of bringing about coordination among the State and Central security
forces/agencies, and strengthening the Cease-Fire Monitoring mechanism at the field- level.

The major militant/insurgent groups active in the North Eastern States are indicated in Annexure-I.
Keeping in view the multiplicity of diverse ethnic groups, and the resultant complex situation in the
region, the Government has been open to talks with such groups which categorically abjure violence.
16
As a result, Suspension of Operations, agreements have been entered into with a number of groups,
who have shown willingness to give up violence and seek solutions for their problems peacefully
within the framework of the Indian Constitution. In this background, Tripartite Suspension of
Operations (SoO) agreements have been entered into with the United People‘s Democratic Solidarity
(UPDS), active in Karbi Anglong District, the Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), active in North Cachar
Hills District in Assam, and the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), active in some parts
of Lower Assam; and with the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), active in Garo Hills in
Meghalaya. Some preliminary discussions regarding Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki
outfits in Manipur have also been held.

The implementation of the agreed Ground Rules in respect of these outfits is periodically reviewed by
Joint Monitoring Groups comprising representatives of the Government of India, State Government,
Security Forces and the concerned outfits.

In Nagaland, the Government of India (GOI) had entered into formal Cease Fire with the
Isak Muivah group of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) w.e.f. August 1,1997. A
Group of Ministers (GoM) has also been constituted to hold talks with NSCN (IM). The GoM is
assisted by Shri K. Padmanabiah, Government of India‘s representative for the Naga Peace Talks. The
talks are continuing. There is a separate Cease Fire Monitoring Group with reference to the Cease Fire
Agreement. The Cease Fire between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) has been extended
indefinitely, with effect from August 1, 2007 subject to progress in the talks.

The Government of India have also entered into formal Cease Fire with NSCN (Khaplang) since April
28, 2001. The Cease Fire with NSCN(K) has been extended up to April 27, 2008.

In Assam, a Peoples‘ Consultative Group (PCG) was set up by ULFA in September 2005 for talks with
the Government, and three rounds of talks were held with the PCG. They were urged to impress upon
ULFA to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment so that direct talks with the Government of
India could be held. Government had also declared unilateral Suspension of Operations against ULFA
from August 13, 2006 with a view to create a conducive atmosphere for holding of peace talks. Since
there was no direct response from ULFA and reports were received of regrouping, new raising,
movement of stores/arms, violence and extortion by ULFA cadres, counter insurgency operations
against ULFA were resumed.

The Government continues to be open to talks, provided the leaders of ULFA abjure violence and
come forward directly for talks without any preconditions. Pending this, the State Government with
the assistance of the Central security forces/ agencies is conducting sustained counterinsurgency
operations against the outfit.

Steps taken by Government to deal with the Situation

The efforts of the State Governments in the insurgency/militancy affected areas are being
supplemented by the Central Government through various measures, including deployment of
Central Security Forces to aid the State authorities with the objective of carrying out counter
insurgency operations and providing security for vulnerable institutions and installations; vigilance
and surveillance on the borders, including construction of border fencing; sharing of intelligence on a
continuous basis; financial assistance for strengthening of the local Police Forces and intelligence
agencies under the Police Modernization Scheme; provision of assistance for strengthening various
aspect of the security apparatus and counter-insurgency operations, by way of reimbursement of
Security Related Expenditure; assistance to the States for raising of additional Forces in the form of

17
India Reserve Battalions; etc. The Central Government is maintaining close and continuous
coordination with the States to review the situation and take further steps, as may be necessary, on a
continuing basis.

The whole of Manipur (except Imphal Municipal area), Nagaland and Assam, Tirap and
Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh and a 20 km. belt in the States of Arunachal Pradesh and
Meghalaya having common border with Assam have been declared ‗Disturbed Areas‘ under the
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 as amended in 1972. The Governor of Tripura has declared
the areas under 28 Police Stations in full and part of the area under 6 Police Stations as ‗Disturbed
Areas‘.

Deployment of Central Para-military Forces (CPFs)

Units of the Central Para-military Forces (CPFs) and Army have been deployed in aid of civilian
authorities in the insurgency/militancy affected States. While deployment charges for CPFs units in
Assam are presently levied @ 10% of the normal charges, the other States in the North East are totally
exempt from such charges in view of their poor resource position. Additional forces have also been
provided to the State Governments for supplementing the security cover for various installations and
infrastructure projects.

Raising of India Reserve (IR) Battalions

The Government of India is assisting the State Governments for augmenting and upgrading their
police forces to deal with insurgency/militancy. Towards this end, 40 India Reserve Battalions (IR
Bns.) have been sanctioned for the NE States, including Sikkim. These include 8 each for Assam and
Tripura, 7 for Manipur, 5 for Nagaland, 4 each for Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, 3 for Meghalaya
and 1 for Sikkim. Of these, 32 Bns. have already been raised and the remaining 8 are in the process of
raising. In addition, 6 Bns. have been sanctioned during the current year, and action for raising is
expected to commence in the next financial year.

Reimbursement of Security Related Expenditure (SRE)

The Central Government is implementing a scheme for reimbursement of Security Related

Expenditure (SRE) for the States seriously affected by militancy/insurgency. The scheme is being
implemented in all States of the region except Mizoram and Sikkim. Under it, the expenditure
incurred by them on various items, including raising of India Reserve Battalions, logistics provided to
the CPFs/Army deployed in the State, ex-gratia grant and gratuitous relief to the victims of extremist
violence, 75% of the expenditure incurred on POL (petrol, oil and lubricants) in operations and
honorarium paid to village guards/village defence committees/home guards deployed for security
purposes, expenditure incurred on maintenance of designated camps set up for groups with whom
the Central Government/State Governments have entered into agreement for Suspension of
Operations, is being reimbursed.

The Central Government has also formulated a 100% Centrally funded Surrender and Rehabilitation
Scheme, the expenditure on which is also reimbursed under the SRE scheme. The main features of the
scheme are as follows:

 An immediate grant of Rs.1.50 lakh to be kept in the name of the surrenderee as fixed deposit
for a period of 3 years. The money can be withdrawn by the surrenderee after 3 years subject to
good behaviour.
 Stipend at the rate of Rs.2,000 per month would be provided up to a period of 36 months.

18
  Vocational Training at Government expense; and
 Incentive for the weapons surrendered.

555, 1,430 and 524 militants have surrendered during the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively.

State wise details of assistance released to NE States under the SRE scheme during the last eight years
are as under:

State 2000- 2002- 2003- 2004- 2005- 2006- 2007- 2008- Grand
01 03 04 05 06 07 2008 09 Total

Assam 63.97 92.86 68.01 50.80 75.40 63. 91 90.86 53.01 558.82

Nagaland 7.50 12.71 22.42 19.17 26.49 24.83 25.55 7.60 146.27

Manipur 14.18 7.75 7.76 4.00 9.44 33.65 13.60 5.16 95.42

Tripura 15.00 27.70 29.85 34. 33 36. 17 27.00 18.24 4.49 192.73

Arunachal 1.00 1.90 0.95 2.47 1.35 1.35 1.28 _ 10.30

Pradesh
Meghalaya 3.21 0.60 8.35 1.92 1.56 13.17 3.91 2.69 35.41

Total 104.86 143.52 137.22 112.69 150.41 163.91 153.44 72.90 1038.95

North Eastern States are eligible to receive 100% central assistance of their approved annual plan for
modernization of Police force. In the current financial year 2007-08, central assistance of Rs.159.30
crore has been allocated to NE States under the scheme, and an amount of Rs. 144.30 crore has been
released up to February 29, 2008. As a result of the detailed reviews supplemental plans have also
been prepared for Assam and Manipur.

Review of Development Scheme

Apart from the security related measure as mentioned earlier, special attention is also being given to
implementation of various socio-economic

Modernisation of State Police Forces (MPF)

As mentioned earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs is also assisting the State Governments for
Modernization of State Police Forces. Under this scheme assistance is being provided, inter-alia, for
procurement of modern equipments for surveillance, communications, forensic science laboratories,
etc., weaponry, vehicles, computerization, training infrastructure and for construction of Police
infrastructure viz., Housing/Police stations/out posts/ barracks etc. Under the scheme of MPF, all the
development schemes and vital infrastructure projects in the region, particularly in Assam and
Manipur. Regular reviews are being held in this respect at the level of the Cabinet Secretary, who also
visited Assam along with senior officers of MHA and other concerned Central Ministries and
organizations. Some development issues which are not directly part of the security arrangements, but
are considered very important in the context of the overall security situation, were also reviewed by
Union Home Secretary with the concerned Ministries and the State Government. The State
Government of Assam has been requested to prepare an action plan for the most affected districts

19
including aspects of security infrastructure (including the Police Stations, etc.), deployment and
operations plans, development schemes and identification of specific projects which need to be set
up/completed on priority basis. Special attention, in this context, is also being given to major railway
and highway projects under implementation in the State. In the context of Manipur, some of the issues
that have been reviewed, inter-alia, include the Jiribam-Imphal railway project; four laning of Kohima-
Imphal stretch of NH-39; upgrading of Maran- Imphal section of NH-39; Churachandpur town to
Tipaimukh portion of NH-150; augmentation of the holding capacity of petrol and diesel in Imphal;
enhancement of the storage capacity of foodgrains at Jiribam, Senapati, Churachandpur, and creation
of storage capacity in the districts of Chandel and Tamenglong.

Implementation of Accords/Agreements

The Ministry has also been reviewing and monitoring the implementation of tripartite accords that
have been entered into as part of negotiated peace processes in the past. 2A Memorandum of
Settlement (MoS) was signed between the Central Government, Government of Assam and the Bodo
Liberation Tigers (BLT) on February 10, 2003, which resulted in laying down of arms by the militants,
and paved the way for social economic development in the Bodo dominated areas. The Sixth Schedule
to the Constitution of India was amended in 2003 for creation of Bodoland Territorial Council for the
area Bodoland Teritorial Areas District (BTAD). Subsequently, elections to the council were held in
May, 2005. The Bodo language has been included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
In terms of the commitment to provide financial assistance of Rs.100 crore per annum for development
of socio-economic infrastructure in BTAD area for 5 years, over and above the normal plan assistance
to the State of Assam, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned
39 projects worth Rs.419 crore. In addition, Rs.47.92 crore have been released to the Council for
development of administrative infrastructure in BTAD. The implementation of the MoS is being
reviewed periodically with the representatives of the Government of Assam and the Council.

A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement was signed with the National Liberation Front of Tripura
(Nayanbasi) in December, 2004. In this context, a special economic package has been sanctioned by the
Government for taking up a number of projects for the welfare of the tribal communities. A sum of Rs
8 crore, in addition to Rs.5.5 crore in 2006-07, has been released to the State Government of Tripura in
the current year for taking up the identified projects.

The Ministry has also been reviewing the progress of implementation of the Memorandum of
Settlement, popularly known as the Assam Accord, which was signed between the Government of
Assam, the All Assam Students Union and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad on August 15, 1985.
Certain clauses of the Accord are of continuing nature i.e. safeguards for Assamese people, measures
for economic development of Assam, measures for identification of foreigners, prevention of
infiltration etc., and are, therefore, being continuously monitored.

Repatriation of Bru migrants from Tripura to Mizoram

More than 30,000 minority Bru (Reang) tribals, mostly from Western Mizoram have been forced to
stay in relief camps in Tripura since October, 1997 after being attacked by Mizo villagers. The Ministry
has been pursuing with the Government of Mizoram the matter of early repatriation of Bru refugees
from Tripura to Mizoram.

In the years 2005 and 2006, 195 cadres of BNLF and 857 cadres of BLFM surrendered to Government of
Mizoram. The cadres of BNLF and their family members have since been rehabilitated in Mizoram
with grants-in-aid provided to Government of Mizoram by Ministry of Home Affairs. The cadres of

20
BLFM have not yet been fully rehabilitated because their family members are still staying in relief
camps in Tripura.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had committed to extend grants-in-aid of Rs.28.64 crore to the
Government of Mizoram for repatriation of BNLF surrenderees and Bru migrants from Tripura to
Mizoram and also for their rehabilitation in Mizoram.

A part of this grant-in-aid has already been released to the Government of Mizoram. On the request of
Government of Mizoram, Ministry of Home Affairs has also agreed to extend additional grants-in-aid
to the State Government for rehabilitation of Bru migrants on their repatriation from Tripura to
Mizoram.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has, in the meanwhile, enhanced the cash dole to Bru migrants staying
in relief camps of Tripura and has also agreed to provide enhanced quantity of ration to them through
the Government of Tripura. The Government of Tripura has also been advised to improve the existing
facilities at the relief camps of Tripura where these Bru migrants are sheltered.

21
OVERVIEW OF PEACE ACCORDS IN NORTH EAST INDIA

S. Peace Accord Parties to the Accord Note worthy Feature

No.

1. 1947 The Nine Point Akbar Hydrari, Naga were given a measure of
Agreement, a.k.a, The Government of Assam autonomy were notclarified, and
Naga Akbar Hydari and Naga National conflict ensured.
Accord Council Representatives

2. 1960 The Sixteen Point Government of India Created the state of nagaland. The
Agreement and Naga People‘s Naga National Council, which was
Convention. underground refused to recognize
this arrangement.

3. 1975 The Shillong Governor L P Singh of The ―underground organizations‖

Accord Nagaland and surrendered, but the accord was
Underground seen as being of no benefit to Nagas.
Organizations.

4. 1985 The Assam Accord AASU and AGSP Immigrants who entered Assam
Representatives, Union State between January 1, 1966 and
Home Secretary, and March 24, 1971, were to be
Chief Secretary of Assam registered under the Foreigners Act,
State. there names deleted from the voting
rolls for ten years and restored
thereafter. Those who had
previously been deported but
reentered would be expelled. All
who immigrated to Assam state
after March 25, 1971 would be
deported under IMDT Act, 1983.

5. 1986 Memorandum of Government of India Mizo National front and affiliates

Understanding and Mizo National Front gave up violence and seccession
Leader Laldenga demand. They also gave up their
links to TTNV, PLA and other
armed groups. Statehood was
granted.

6. 1988 Memorandum of Tripura National Restoration of tribal lands and

Understanding Volunteers and prevention of further alienation.
Government of India. Reorganization of the tripura tribal
areas autonomous district councils
(TTAADC) to include tribal areas.
State boundaries were also secured.

7. 1988 Darjeeling Hill Gorkhaland National sikkim cut off statehood demand
Accord Liberation Front, West dropped but no removed completey
Bengal State from political discourse. Ghising
Government and keeps raising issues about status of
22
 Government of India Darjeeling vis-à-vis Nepal and
about administrative level of
DGHC. Also, since the DGHC is not
coterminous with the district, a
diarchy exists in Darjeeling.

8. 1993 Bodo All-Bodo Students Surrender and rehabilitation of

Memorandum of Union, Assam State ABSU cadres in return of
settlement Government of India establishing of Bodoland.
Minister and Chief Autonomous Council.
Minister.

9. 1993 Agartala Tripura Tiger Force. Renews commitment to

Agreement/ reorganizing the TTAADC and
Memorandum of provides cultural safeguards for
Settlement Tripuras.

10. 1994 Memorandum of Mizoram State Singlung hill Development Council

Settlement Government and Hmar established.
People‘s Convention

11. 1995 Memorandum of Assam State Karbi Anglong District Council

understanding Government and became Karbi Anglong
Representatives of Autonomous Council. Rabha-
Community Hasong Autonomous Council, and
Organizations of Rabhas, Mishing Autonomous Council,
Karbis, Tiwas And which were not territorial were
Mishings established.

12. 2003 Bodo Territorial Government of India, Bodo Territorial Council

Council Memorandum Assam State established, plus cultural
Government and Bodo provisions.
Liberation Tiger.

13. 2005 Memorandum of Mizoram State Government agreed to repatriate

Understanding Government and Bru displaced Reangs in Tripura. The
National Liberation Mizoram scheduled tribes list will
Front now list Reangs as Brus.

Source: Peace Accords in Northeast India: Journey over Milestone by Swarna Rajagopalan. This is not
a complete compilation.

23
EXCERPTS FROM 11TH FIVE YEAR PLAN ON THE NORTHEAST REGION

-NER as a Special Category of Development Efforts

Recognizing the special requirements of the region and the need for significant levels of government
investment, the North Eastern States have been categorized as Special Category States and Central
Plan assistance to these States is provided on liberal terms. For the Special Category States of NER, the
per capita level of Central assistance is among the highest in the country.

-Special Initiatives (10% Mandatory Earmarking Of Funds for NER)

Special attention has been given to the economic development of the region from the Eighth Plan
period onwards. In October 1996, the Central Government‘s announcement of ‗New Initiatives for the
North Eastern Region‘ included a number of measures for the development of the NER which covered
policy changes, special area development and development projects in key sectors. In order to
mobilize financial resources, a policy decision was taken to earmark at least 10% of the Plan Budget(s)
of the Central ministries/departments for development of the North Eastern States.

-Nom-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCRP) and Setting Up Of Ministry of Development of

NE Region
The Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) created in 1997–98 (operationalized in 1998–99)
is the accrual of the unspent balance of the mandatory 10% budgetary allocation of the
Ministries/Department. The broad objectives of the NLCPR Scheme is to ensure speedy development
of infrastructure by way of filling the existing infrastructural gaps (economic and social) in the region
by making funds available from the pool. DoNER is responsible for coordination the planning,
execution and monitoring of the developmental schemes and projects in NER; NEC; NEDFI; North
Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited; NEHHDC, and so on.

-Flow of Resources through Special Initiatives

According to the assessment made by DoNER, the Central Ministries/Departments (except the
exempted Ministries/ Departments) invested Rs 35186.30 crore from 1998–99 to 2005–06 (2006–07
estimates are not available). The utilization of the 10% mandatory earmarked funds by the Central
Ministries has gone up in recent years. An amount of Rs 10426.36 crore has accrued to NLCPR till the
end March 2006. Out of this accrual, an amount of Rs 4660.46 crore has also been released to the States
from NLCPR for specific projects. As on 31 May 2007, a total of 836 projects had been taken up
(including four interstate/regional projects), out of which 389 projects have been completed.

-Special Package for NER

The Central Government has also been announcing special packages for socio-economic development
of the NER from time to time.

-Northeastern Council
The NEC was established under the NEC Act, 1971 to act as an advisory body in respect of
socioeconomic development and balanced development of the seven States of the NER. The functions
of NEC are to discuss matters of common interest in the field of economic and social planning of the
region and advise the governments (Central and State) as to the action to be taken on such matters,
formulate Regional Plans and recommend the manner in which the Regional Plan may be
implemented. NEC is also to monitor the progress of project implementation and recommend to the
Central Government the quantum of financial assistance to be given to the States. However, the
absence of a well coordinated Regional Plan is being felt constantly.

-Total Flow of Plan Investment Resources in Tenth Plan

As per the assessment made by DoNER, total Plan investment by the Centre and States of the NER
had been approximately Rs 80000 crore during the Tenth Plan through various windows of funding
24
(including Central assistance provided to the States under their plans) These include project-based
assistance under the State Plan, NLCPR, NEC and the Central Ministries as well as CSSs. NLCPR
funds are also sanctioned based on the priorities fixed by the States, at times without any regard to the
regional thrust.

-Centrally Sponsored Scheme

It is evident from the plan performance review that North Eastern States were unable to contribute the
State‘s share as per the norms of various CSS due to fund constraints. There is a need for a clear policy
so that North Eastern States are able to take full advantage of all the CSS.

-Financial Status of States

The States of the NER have a weak financial base and also limited scope to raise additional resources.
While some States have made some efforts in controlling expenditure and have taken initiatives in
fiscal reforms under the direction of the Ministry of Finance, other States in NER need to step up their
efforts. One of the critical developments having a major affect on the financial position of the States is
the revision in the salaries of the State Government employees comparable to the Central pay pattern
based on Fifth Central Pay Commission‘s recommendations. This has created a heavy burden,
especially in the light of the States‘ inability to generate their own resources. Due to the sharp increase
in the salary bill, States depend more on borrowing to finance their revenue expenditure. Additional
Resource Mobilization (ARM) had been negligible in the North Eastern States. Funding of the Plan
had mainly been through Central Assistance during the period.

-Financial Institutions and Credit Availability

Availability of credit is one of the critical weaknesses in the development of economic activity. Various
indicators for NER show that despite improvement in banking facilities the last five years, the level of
financial outreach is low. Credit to Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) ratio of all the States ranging
from nine in Nagaland to 41 inMeghalaya, is lower than the national average of 62. The penetration of
banking in NER, particularly in the rural areas, has been very low.

-Task Force on Connectivity on Promotion of Trade and Investment in NER

The main recommendations of the Task Force are completion of modified Phase a of SARDPNE, to
take the Trans Arunachal Highway on priority; road links in Manipur; completion SARDP-NE Phase
B selectively based on resources availability in the Eleventh Plan; construction of a bridge at Sadia-
Dholaghat overthe Brahmaputra River; completion of ongoing railway projects; priority funding for
identified projects; construction of three greenfield airports at Pakyong in Sikkim, Itanagar in
Arunachal Pradesh and Cheithu in Kohima; modernization of airports of NER and harnessing of the
maximum potential of inland water as a mode of transport. Endeavour is on to look for possible
funding arrangements for the priority projects during the Eleventh Plan.

-Sectoral Summits
The sectoral summit on power suggested a two-pronged strategy for power generation with focus on
small/localized hydel and thermal and NER power projects for local needs and high capacity hydel
and thermal power projects with associated transmission lines for meeting the demands of the region
and also supply to the rest of the country. Transmission, subtransmission and distribution system
improvements have been identified as one to the thrust areas for the Eleventh Plan. The summit also
suggested preparation of a master plan for power development for NER, including an appropriate
funding mechanism relevant to the Region.

25
-Forest Resources and NER
Afforestation and reforestation are being suggested for increasing forest cover in NER. However, this
needs huge investment, which the States are unable to meet from their own resources. There is need
for incentives to the States for increase in forest cover.

-Natural Disaster and NER

Considering the regular periodicity and gravity of such disasters, appropriate measures need to be
adopted and continually refined for management and mitigation of the consequences.

-Primary Sector Development

To attain sustainable development of agriculture in the Region, the availability of the critical inputs
like irrigation facilities, including field drainage to prevent water logging, fertilizers, high-yielding
variety (HYV) seeds and institutional credit would have to be ensured. The emphasis should be
agricultural strategy and programmes for income enhancement of the farmer through provision of
multiple livelihood opportunities.

Critical Parameters for Growth of the North Eastern Region under 11th Five Year Plan

 Two-pronged growth strategy: creation of critical infrastructure and creation of employment

opportunities.

 Improvement in the security, law and order and governance.

 Capacity building of implementing machinery (government functionary); technical assistance

programmes for capacity building.

 Thrust on major sectors of connectivity (road, rail, air, inland waterways, telecommunication)
and power with major step-up in investment in these sectors.

 Thrust on major social infrastructure: Health, Education (upgradation of quality) and Tourism,
clearly identifying gaps therein, and Skill Development.

 Emphasis on the primary sector of the economy to substantially step up productivity in food
grains within a period of five years. Emphasis on agriculture extension services, irrigation.

 Farm-based economic activities: Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Poultry, and so

on.

 Post-harvest management and marketing infrastructure.

 Synergy and dovetailing of programmes/schemes between Central ministries and the State
Governments for filling up gaps in infrastructure.

 Building capacity and bringing professionalism in NEC as a Regional Planning Body.

 Active involvement of Autonomous District Councils, Panchayati Raj and local Self
Government institutions, communities and Self-Help Groups in various development welfare
schemes.

 Making the region an attractive destination for private sector investment and PPP.

26
 State-specific approach for the creation of opportunities for employment generation.

 Development of the region linked to the Look East policy of the government and development
of relationship with neighboring countries of the entire region.

 Development of LCS to make international trade attractive through the North East.

 Systematic approach to infrastructure development (road/rail/power/IWT/airports) in the

Region. Resources requirement for development is huge. Many of these roads or airports
cannot be justified on the basis of economic viability, but these are vital for opening up the
region and better integration.

 Maintenance of roads is an important aspect and needs a separate financial arrangement.

 Setting up of an interdisciplinary body for overseeing the planning and timely execution of
communication projects undertaken including, inter alia, the absorption capabilities and their
augmentation.

27
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE POVERTY ALLEVIATION POLICY INITIATIVES IN
NORTHEAST INDIA

 In all NER states, centrally sponsored programmes have been under implementation from
Sixth Plan onward.

 The implementation of self-employment programme through IRDP following individual

family approach resulted the following-
o It was able to alleviate 15% to 20% of the poor above poverty line.
o The method and procedure of identification and selection of poor deviated from the
programme guidelines and subsidy became center of attraction.
o The assets / schemes remain under-financed even where there was bank and in
unbanked areas, the scheme size reduced to the size of subsidy component.
o Capacity building mostly remained women centred in the trades like tailoring, knitting,
embroidery and weaving.
o A poor family unit stood too weak to find access to the (i) assets and inputs (physical
and financial) arranged through delivery system (DRDA, Block, Bank and Line Depts.),
(ii) technology and skill, (iii) market opportunities of their products.

 The self-employment programme through SGSY following group approach (SHG)

o SHGs have shown strength to overcome the vicious cycle of poverty.
o To upscale the movement, there are weaknesses in the areas of social mobilization and
group building process.
o The attitude, behaviour, skill and time available with the implementing machineries of
the government are inadequate for social mobilization and group building process.
o They implementation failed to involve NGOs participation in the process.
o Key activity planning following cluster approach is a non-starter.
o Initiative made through other agencies is by and large successful.
o The approach of SIRD, Assam is worth mentioning. They adopted social mobilization
followed by capacity building, credit linkage to the SHG and their schemes, linkage to
market and repeated financing in steps.

 Implementation of wage and infrastructure development programmes (NREP, RLEGP, JRY,

EAS, JGSY, SGRY) reveals that
o The implementation of all the previous programmes except NREGP was able to
provide wage employment in the range of 20 to 35 person days per worker family per
annum.
o The achievement of employment generation which was the primary objective had
problem of implementation in the hilly states as manual labour in individual form
fitting to the requirement of muster roll was not available.
o The secondary objective to create rural infrastructure was partially fulfilled due to high
construction cost in scattered hilly settlements.
o Involvement of Panchayats and local level institutions in the planning and
implementation of the programme was highly partial except in Tripura and Nagaland.
o The technical staff in most of the hilly states is less to look after the technical aspects of
the schemes.
o Infrastructure is rather than wage employment being the primary need in the hills, the
same is to be built through community labour participation.

28
  Implementation of land resource development programme (IWDP and Hariyali) reveals a
number of encouraging results in majority of the project.

 The project that were implemented ensuring community participation resulted-

o Tangible improvement in the quality of wastelands in the plain areas.
o Tangible development of plantation and horticulture in hill states.
o Formation of groups (SHG/UG) has demonstrated organizational strength leading to
sustainability.

 The projects that ensured less community participation revealed very less success to count.

 Success of safe drinking water and sanitation programme is of mixed type.

o In the hills, coverage is high and quantity available is adequate to a greater extent.
o In the plains, coverage is very poor.
o The programme suffers most in maintenance.
o Lack of people‘s participation is an area of concern.
o Quality is a problem – mostly turbidity. In some pockets, concentration of metals like
arsenic, fluoride etc. is reported.

 The rural housing programme (IAY) to provide about 20 sq.m. Plinth area is a mix of success
and failure.
o The common structure provided under the programme is a misfit to the housing
structure evolved traditionally over the years.
o The cost of construction using the same materials is very high in the hill regions.
o The achievement is encouraging particularly in the plain areas.

 Rural connectivity programme (PMGSY) is most important for NER to bail out its human
settlements from the serious problem of inaccessibility.

 The achievement made under the programme is poor in the region.

 Due to unfavourable topography and scattered settlement pattern in the hills, the cost of
construction is very high.

 Many villages which have attained the threshold population by 2001 are still remaining
unconnected under the programme.

 The basic objectives of the programme to provide free and fast flow of goods, services and
people to support rural economy still remains many a miles to go.

Recommendations and suggestions by DONER

Based on the status, dimensions and factors of poverty and also the review of the poverty alleviation
policy initiatives, the following recommendations / suggestions are made to enhance the performance
of the ongoing initiatives.

The planning commission seeks to step up economic growth rate to 9% during 11th Plan
(2007-12) from 7.6% recorded in the 10th Plan. In the case of agriculture sector, growth rate to
increase to 4.0% from 2.13% in the 10th Plan. In the industry and service sectors, growth rate
is envisaged between 9 - 11%, which remained 8.74% and 9.28% during 10th Plan.

29
 The 11th Plan targets reduction of poverty by 10% and generation of 70 million new
employment opportunities and ensuring electricity connection to all villages. Major thrust is
on social sector including agriculture and rural development with 74.67% allocation from
55.22% in the 10th Plan.

 The extra-ordinary ethno-geographic and bio-geographic diversity of the region precludes

uniform solution as different communities are at varying stages of growth.

 Digital information bank covering natural resources and their use, connectivity infrastructure,
public and private institutions and services to be developed as a decision support system.

 The bio resources that are available in plenty need to be benchmarked and its value to be
assessed.

 To frame development strategy for the region as a whole, intra regional cooperation among the
states is prerequisite.

 The physiographic character and the endowment in nature being highly diverse,
physiographic divisions can be the ideal basis of planning at regional, state, district and block
level.

 Ethno-geographic and bio-geographic diversity being very high, participatory planning at

grassroot level is recommended.

 Poverty alleviation/ eradication initiatives in NER should be based on a four-fold

development perspectives as detailed below
o Economic development perspective envisages optimal use of resources through
participatory growth process at the grassroot level.
o Human Resource Development Perspective concerns with the issues of health and
nutrition security, augmentation of human capital and enabling all poor to live decent
lives with human dignity.
o Institutional Development Perspective focuses on creating and strengthening of
institutions for enlarging the social capital and making the formal delivery and support
systems accountable to the community and to be effective.
o Infrastructure Development Perspective lays emphasis on development on necessary
socio-economic infrastructure for providing backward and forward linkages for
production, value addition/processing and marketing of rural products and thereby
integrating the rural community with the rest of the society.

 Sector wise recommendations / suggestions made in the following pages are based on the
above mentioned four-fold development perspectives.

Source: Extracts from Summary Report by National Institute of Rural Development and North Eastern
Regional Centre on ―Poverty Eradication/Alleviation in North East India: An Approach‖, available at
http://mdoner.gov.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/Cover_Page9550048814.pdf

30
 WOMEN & LAW

The following are the provisions of 'arrest and detention' under Criminal Procedure Code and the
Constitution of India. The CrPc provides special provisions for women on arrest and detention for
protection of their rights. However, these rights have become meaningless in the States where Armed
Forces Special Powers Act is in operation. For more details on AFSPA please look at Appendix III.

I. Arrest and Detention

Every Arrested Person Has a Right:

 To be informed of the grounds of arrest by the police. The police should also inform the
arrested person of this right. (Art. 22 (1), Constitution; Sec. 50, Cr.P.C.)

 To be released on bail when arrested for a bailable offence. It is the duty of the police officer to
inform him of his right to be released on bail. (Sec. 50, Cr.P.C)

 To be produced before the nearest competent magistrate within 24 hours from the time of his
arrest. This period excludes the time taken in journey. (Art.22 (2), Constitution Sec; 57& 76, Cr.
P.C)

 To inform his relative or friend about his arrest and the place of detention. It is the duty of the
police to inform the arrested person of this right and also inform his relatives or friend about
his arrest and detention. (S.C. judgement D.K.Basu v. State of West Bengal)

 To meet and consult a lawyer of his choice. The arrested person can consult a lawyer during
interrogation also but not throughout the interrogation period.
(Art.22 (1), Constitution; S.C. Judgement D.K.Basu v. State of West Bengal)

 Not to be ill-treated, abused or tortured while in custody during interrogation and

investigation.

 Not to be subjected to more restraint than what is necessary to prevent his escape. (Sec.49,
Cr.P.C)

 A police officer making an arrest is entitled to search the arrested person and place in safe
custody all the articles seized from him. A receipt of such articles must be given to the arrested
person. (Sec.51, Cr.P.C)

Right to Medical Examination

 Every accused person can demand a medical examination of his body by a registered medical
practitioner to disprove the commission of the offence alleged against him. It is the duty of the
Magistrate to inform him of this right. — (Sec.54, Cr.P.C)

 At the time of examination, the injuries found on the body should be recorded. It is necessary
to prepare an Inspection Memo after the examination is over and this Memo should be signed
by the arrested person and the police officer making the arrest. (S.C. judgement D.K.Basu v.
State of West Bengal)

31
  Every arrested person has the right to be medically examined after every 48 hours during his
detention in custody by a qualified and government-approved doctor. (S.C. judgement
D.K.Basu v. State of West Bengal)

Additional Duties of the Police

(S.C. judgement D.K.Basu v. State of West Bengal)

 The police officer carrying out the arrest must bear accurate, visible and clear identification in
the form of nametag with designation.

 The police must record in a register the identity of all police officials who conduct the
interrogation of the arrested person.

 The police officer carrying out the arrest must prepare a Memo of Arrest that should be signed
either by a relative or friend of the arrested person or a respectable person of the locality and
be countersigned by the arrested person. This Memo must have the date and time of arrest.

 Copies of all the documents should be sent to the local area Magistrate for record.

 Details of every arrest and the place of detention of the arrested persons should be given to the
State and District Police Control Room within 12 hours of the arrest. This information should
be displayed clearly on the notice board of the Control Room.

 The police officer making the arrest should not hand cuff any person routinely. The arrested
person should not be handcuffed except where,
- There is a clear danger of his escape or attempt to escape;
- He is so violent that he cannot be kept in custody unless his movement is stopped.

Right to Legal Aid and Advice

Every poor accused is entitled to be provided with free legal aid. This right begins from the time of his
arrest only. If he is not aware of this right it is the duty of the Magistrate to inform him about this right
when he is first produced in court. (S.C. judgement Khatri & Others v. State of Bihar and others).

It is the duty of the police to immediately inform the nearest legal aid committee about the arrest of an
accused seeking legal aid. (S.C. judgement Sheela Barse v. State of Maharashtra)

Resistance to Arrest

 The police officer or other person making the arrest is empowered to use all means necessary
to effect arrest, including use of force. (Sec. 46. Cr.P.C).
 Do not refuse to give your name and address or give false name or address to the police. You
can be arrested by the police officer for doing so. — (Sec.42. Cr.P.C).

Redress against Arbitrary Arrest and Detention:

If any person has been arrested and detained illegally or wishes to make a complaint against any
wrongful act by the police, he can complain to the:

32
 Superintendent of Police of that district and other senior police officers;
 court; and
 State Human Rights Commission/ National Human Rights Commission.

Special Rights of Women

 Females can be searched by only another female with strict regard to privacy
and decency. (Sec.51, Cr.P.C)

 Female suspects must be kept in a separate lock-up in the police station. They
should not be kept where male suspects are detained. (S.C. judgement Sheela
Barse v. State of Maharashtra)

 When a female is arrested for a non-bailable offence, even if the offence is very
serious (punishable by death penalty even), the court can release her on bail.
(Sec.437, Cr. P.C)

 Females cannot be taken to the Police Station or anywhere else for

interrogation.

 Females can be questioned only at their residence and in presence of your

family members

 Females can consult with their lawyer when they are being interrogated
whether they are arrested or not.

 A female constable must be present when a female is being arrested.

33
II. Protection of Women under International Humanitarian law (selected provisions)

(Please note: GC stands for Geneva Convention, AP stands for Additional Protocol and ICC stands for
International Criminal Court).

GC I, Art. Women must be treated with all consideration due to their sex.
12(4); GC II,
Art. 12(4)

GC IV, Art. 27 Women must be especially protected against any attack on their
honour, in particular against rape, enforced prostitution, or any other
form of indecent assault.

AP I, Art. 51(4) Prohibition of indiscriminate attacks of a nature to strike military and

civilians or civilian objects without distinction or which may be
expected to cause incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians or
damage to civilian objects which would be excessive in relation to the
concrete and direct military advantage expected.

AP I, Art. 76 Women must be protected in particular against rape, forced

prostitution and any other form of indecent assault. To the maximum
extent feasible, parties to a conflict must endeavour to avoid the
pronouncement of the death penalty on pregnant women or mothers
having dependent infants for an offence related to the armed conflict.
The death penalty for such offences must not be executed on such
women.
AP II, Art. 4(1) In non-international armed conflicts all persons who do not take part
or who have ceased to take part in hostilities, whether or not their
liberty has been restricted, are entitled to respect for their person and
honour. They must in all circumstances be treated humanely, without
any adverse distinction.

AP II, Art. 4(2) Prohibition of violence to the life, health and physical or mental well-
being of persons in non-international armed conflicts, in particular
murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any
form of corporal punishment; collective punishments; taking of
hostages; acts of terrorism; outrages upon personal dignity, in
particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced
prostitution and any form of indecent assault; slavery and the slave
trade in all their forms; pillage and threats to commit any of the
foregoing acts.

GC IV, Art. 27 Women must be especially protected against any attack on their
honour, in particular against rape, enforced prostitution, or any form
of indecent assault.

AP I, Art. 76 Women must be the object of special respect and must be protected in
particular against rape, forced prostitution and any other form of
indecent assault.

34
GCs, Common Prohibition of outrages upon personal dignity, in particular
Art. 3 humiliating and degrading treatment in non-international armed
conflicts.
AP II, The following acts against persons hors de combat are prohibited in
Arts.4(2)(a); (e) noninternational armed conflicts: violence to life, health and physical
or mental well-being, in particular cruel treatment such as torture;
outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and
degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of
indecent assault; and slavery.

ICC Statute, Rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy,

Arts. enforced sterilization, or any other form of sexual violence as well as
8(2)(b)(xxi); outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and
(xxii); degrading treatment, are war crimes in both international and non-
8(2)(c)(ii); international armed conflicts.
8(2)(e)(vi)
GC IV, Art. 16 The wounded and sick, as well as the infirm and expectant mothers,
must be the object of particular protection and respect.

AP II, Art. In non-international armed conflicts, except when men and women of
5(2)(a) the same family are accommodated together, women must be held in
quarters separate from those of men and must be under the immediate
supervision of women.

GC III, Art. 97; Women deprived of their liberty in relation to international or non-
GC IV, Arts. international armed conflicts must be placed under the immediate
76; 124; supervision of women.
AP I, Art.
75(5); AP II,
Art. 5(2)(a)
GC IV, Art. 97 A woman civilian internee must not be searched except by a woman.

GC III, Arts. Right to a defence: right to legal assistance, to a competent interpreter,

99; 105; as well as the right to call and examine witnesses.
GC IV, Arts.
72; 74;
AP I, Art.
75(4)(a); (g);
AP II, Art.
6(2)(a)

Source: www.icrc.org

35
APPENDIX- I

LIST OF INSURGENT GROUPS/ ARMED GROUPS IN NORTHEAST INDIA

ASSAM

1. United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)

2. National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB)
3. United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS)
4. Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO)
5. Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF)
6. Dima Halim Daogah (DHD)
7. Karbi National Volunteers (KNV)
8. Rabha National Security Force (RNSF)
9. Koch-Rajbongshi Liberation Organisation (KRLO)
10. Hmar People's Convention- Democracy (HPC-D)
11. Karbi People's Front (KPF)
12. Tiwa National Revolutionary Force (TNRF)
13. Bircha Commando Force (BCF)
14. Bengali Tiger Force (BTF)
15. Adivasi Security Force (ASF)
16. All Assam Adivasi Suraksha Samiti (AAASS)
17. Gorkha Tiger Force (GTF)
18. Barak Valley Youth Liberation Front (BVYLF)
19. Muslim United Liberation Tigers of Assam (MULTA)
20. United Liberation Front of Barak Valley
21. Muslim United Liberation Front of Assam (MULFA)
22. Muslim Security Council of Assam (MSCA)
23. United Liberation Militia of Assam (ULMA)
24. Islamic Liberation Army of Assam (ILAA)
25. Muslim Volunteer Force (MVF)
26. Muslim Liberation Army (MLA)
27. Muslim Security Force (MSF)
28. Islamic Sevak Sangh (ISS)
29. Islamic United Reformation Protest of India (IURPI)
30. United Muslim Liberation Front of Assam (UMLFA)
31. Revolutionary Muslim Commandos (RMC)
32. Muslim Tiger Force (MTF)
33. People‘s United Liberation Front (PULF)
34. Adam Sena (AS)
35. Harkat-ul-Mujahideen
36. Harkat-ul-Jehad

MANIPUR

1. United National Liberation Front (UNLF)

2. People‘s Liberation Army (PLA)
3. People‘s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK)
The above mentioned three groups now operate from a unified platform, the Manipur People‘s
Liberation Front (MPLF)

36
 4. Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)
5. Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL)
6. Manipur Liberation Tiger Army (MLTA)
7. Iripak Kanba Lup (IKL)
8. People‘s Republican Army (PRA)
9. Kangleipak Kanba Kanglup (KKK)
10. Kangleipak Liberation Organisation (KLO)
11. Revolutionary Joint Committee (RJC)
12. National Socialist Council of Nagaland -- Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM)
13. People‘s United Liberation Front (PULF)
14. North East Minority Front (NEMF)
15. Islamic National Front (INF)
16. Islamic Revolutionary Front (IRF)
17. United Islamic Liberation Army (UILA)
18. United Islamic Revolutionary Army (UIRA)
19. Kuki National Front (KNF)
20. Kuki National Army (KNA)
21. Kom Rem People's Convention (KRPC)
22. Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA)
23. Kuki National Organisation (KNO)
24. Kuki Independent Army (KIA)
25. Kuki Defence Force (KDF)
26. Kuki International Force (KIF)
27. Kuki National Volunteers (KNV)
28. Kuki Liberation Front (KLF)
29. Kuki Security Force (KSF)
30. Kuki Liberation Army (KLA)
31. Kuki Revolutionary Front (KRF)
32. United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF)
33. Hmar People‘s Convention (HPC)
34. Hmar People's Convention- Democracy (HPC-D)
35. Hmar Revolutionary Front (HRF)
36. Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA)
37. Zomi Revolutionary Volunteers (ZRV)
38. Indigenous People's Revolutionary Alliance(IRPA)
39. Chin Kuki Revolutionary Front (CKRF)

MEGHALAYA

1. Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC)

2. Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC)
3. People‘s Liberation Front of Meghalaya (PLF-M)
4. Hajong United Liberation Army (HULA)

NAGALAND

1. National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) – NSCN(IM)

2. National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) – NSCN (K)
3. Naga National Council (Adino) – NNC (Adino)

TRIPURA
37
 1. National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT)
2. All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF)
3. Tripura Liberation Organisation Front (TLOF)
4. United Bengali Liberation Front (UBLF)
5. Tripura Tribal Volunteer Force (TTVF)
6. Tripura Armed Tribal Commando Force (TATCF)
7. Tripura Tribal Democratic Force (TTDF)
8. Tripura Tribal Youth Force (TTYF)
9. Tripura Liberation Force (TLF)
10. Tripura Defence Force (TDF)
11. All Tripura Volunteer Force (ATVF)
12. Tribal Commando Force (TCF)
13. Tripura Tribal Youth Force (TTYF)
14. All Tripura Bharat Suraksha Force (ATBSF)
15. Tripura Tribal Action Committee Force (TTACF)

16. Socialist Democratic Front of Tripura (SDFT)

17. All Tripura National Force (ATNF)
18. Tripura Tribal Sengkrak Force (TTSF)
19. Tiger Commando Force (TCF)
20. Tripura Mukti Police (TMP)
21. Tripura Rajya Raksha Bahini (TRRB)
22. Tripura State Volunteers (TSV)
23. Tripura National Democratic Tribal Force (TNDTF)
24. National Militia of Tripura (NMT)
25. All Tripura Bengali Regiment (ATBR)
26. Bangla Mukti Sena (BMS)
27. All Tripura Liberation Organisation (ATLO)
28. Tripura National Army (TNA)
29. Tripura State Volunteers (TSV)
30. Borok National Council of Tripura (BNCT)

MIZORAM

1. Bru National Liberation Front

2. Hmar People's Convention- Democracy (HPC-D)

AURUNACHAL PRADESH

1. Arunachal Dragon Force (ADF)

Source: www.satp.org

38
APPENDIX- II

STATE-WISE SECURITY SITUATION DURING THE YEARS 2003 to 2007

Assam

Head 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Incidents 358 267 398 413 474
Extremists 750 1007 544 752 759
arrested/
killed/
surrendered
SFs killed 12 17 7 32 27

Civilians 182 194 173 164 287

killed

Meghalaya

Head 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Incidents 85 47 37 38 28

Extremists 152 150 108 112 85

Arrested/
killed/
surrendered
SFs killed 7 8 0 0 1
Civilians 35 17 1 6 9
killed

Tripura

Head 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Incidents 394 212 115 87 94

Extremists 654 608 212 196 303

Arrested/
killed/
surrendered
SFs killed 39 46 11 14 6
Civilians 207 67 28 14 14
killed

Arunachal Pradesh

Head 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Incidents 50 41 32 16 35
Extremists 81 74 58 23 53
Arrested/
39
killed/
surrendered
SFs killed 1 2 1 0 5
Civilians 7 6 3 0 12
killed

Nagaland

Head 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Incidents 199 186 192 309 272

Extremists 189 145 141 203 211

Arrested/
killed/
surrendered
SFs killed 3 0 1 2 1
Civilians 13 42 28 29 44
killed

Mizoram

Head 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Incidents 3 3 4 5 2
Extremists 1 41 210 848 21
Arrested/
killed/
surrendered
SFs killed 1 1 0 0 0
Civilians 0 0 2 0 2
killed

Manipur

Head 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Incidents 243 478 554 498 584
Extremists 365 772 1186 1097 1443
Arrested/
killed/
surrendered
SFs killed 27 36 50 28 39
Civilians 50 88 158 96 130
killed

Source: Ministry of Home Affairs Report, 2008.

40
APPENDIX- III

THE ARMED FORCES SPECIAL POWERS ACT, 1958 AND ITS PROVISIONS

Section 1: This section states the name of the Act and the areas to which it extends (Assam, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram).

Section 2: This section sets out the definition of the Act, but leaves much un-defined. Under part (a) in
the 1972 version, the armed forces were defined as "the military and Air Force of the Union so
operating". In the 1958 version of the Act the definition was of the "military forces and the air forces
operating as land forces". In the Lok Sabha Debates which led to the passing of the original Act, Mr
Naushir Bharucha commented, "that probably means that the Government very mercifully has not
permitted the air forces to shoot or strafe the area ... or to bomb." The Minister of Home Affairs did not
confirm this interpretation, but certainly "acting as land forces" should rule out the power to resort to
aerial bombardment. Nevertheless, in 1966, the Air Force in Mizoram did resort to aerial
bombardment.

Section 2(b) defines a "disturbed area" as any area declared as such under Clause 3 (see discussion
below). Section 2(c) states that all other words not defined in the AFSPA have the meanings assigned
to them in the Army Act of 1950.

Section 3: This section defines "disturbed area" by stating how an area can be declared disturbed. It
grants the power to declare an area disturbed to the Central Government and the Governor of the
State, but does not describe the circumstances under which the authority would be justified in making
such a declaration. Rather, the AFSPA only requires that such authority be "of the opinion that whole
or parts of the area are in a dangerous or disturbed condition such that the use of the Armed Forces in
aid of civil powers is necessary." The vagueness of this definition was challenged in Indrajit Barua v.
State of Assam case. The court decided that the lack of precision to the definition of a disturbed area
was not an issue because the government and people of India understand its meaning. However, since
the declaration depends on the satisfaction of the Government official, the declaration that an area is
disturbed is not subject to judicial review. So in practice, it is only the government's understanding
which classifies an area as disturbed. There is no mechanism for the people to challenge this opinion.
Strangely, there are acts which define the term more concretely. In the Disturbed Areas (Special
Courts) Act, 1976, an area may be declared disturbed when "a State Government is satisfied that (i)
there was, or (ii) there is, in any area within a State extensive disturbance of the public peace and
tranquility, by reason of differences or disputes between members of different religions, racial,
language, or regional groups or castes or communities, it may ... declare such area to be a disturbed
area." The lack of precision in the definition of a disturbed area under the AFSPA demonstrates that
the government is not interested in putting safeguards on its application of the AFSPA.

The 1972 amendments to the AFSPA extended the power to declare an area disturbed to the Central
Government. In the 1958 version of the AFSPA only the state governments had this power. In the 1972
Lok Sabha debates it was argued that extending this power to the Central Government would take
away the State's authority. In the 1958 debates the authority and power of the states in applying the
AFSPA was a key issue. The Home Minister had argued that the AFSPA broadened states' power
because they could call in the military whenever they chose. The 1972 amendment shows that the
Central Government is no longer concerned with the state's power. Rather, the Central Government
now has the ability to overrule the opinion of a state governor and declare an area disturbed. This
happened in Tripura, when the Central Government declared Tripura a disturbed area, over the
opposition of the State Government.

41
In the 1972 Lok Sabha debates, Mr S D Somasundaram pointed out that there was no need to extend
this power to the Central Government, since the President had "the power to intervene in a disturbed
State at any time" under the Constitution. This point went unheeded and the Central Government
retains the power to apply the AFSPA to the areas it wishes in the Northeast.

Section 4: This section sets out the powers granted to the military stationed in a disturbed area. These
powers are granted to the commissioned officer, warrant officer, or non-commissioned officer, only a
jawan (private) does not have these powers. The Section allows the armed forces personnel to use
force for a variety of reasons.

The army can shoot to kill, under the powers of section 4(a), for the commission or suspicion of the
commission of the following offenses: acting in contravention of any law or order for the time being in
force in the disturbed area prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons, carrying weapons, or
carrying anything which is capable of being used as a fire-arm or ammunition. To justify the
invocation of this provision, the officer need only be "of the opinion that it is necessary to do so for the
maintenance of public order" and only give "such due warning as he may consider necessary".

The army can destroy property under section 4(b) if it is an arms dump, a fortified position or shelter
from where armed attacks are made or are suspected of being made, if the structure is used as a
training camp, or as a hide-out by armed gangs or absconders.

The army can arrest anyone without a warrant under section 4(c) who has committed, is suspected of
having committed or of being about to commit, a cognisable offense and use any amount of force
"necessary to effect the arrest".

Under section 4(d), the army can enter and search without a warrant to make an arrest or to recover
any property, arms, ammunition or explosives which are believed to be unlawfully kept on the
premises. This section also allows the use of force necessary for the search.

Section 5: This section states that after the military has arrested someone under the AFSPA, they must
hand that person over to the nearest police station with the "least possible delay". There is no
definition in the act of what constitutes the least possible delay. Some case-law has established that 4
to 5 days is too long. But since this provision has been interpreted as depending on the specifics
circumstances of each case, there is no precise amount of time after which the section is violated. The
holding of the arrested person, without review by a magistrate, constitutes arbitrary detention.

Section 6: This section establishes that no legal proceeding can be brought against any member of the
armed forces acting under the AFSPA, without the permission of the Central Government. This section
leaves the victims of the armed forces abuses without a remedy.

Source: Excerpts from ‗Armed Forces Special Powers Act: A study in National Security tyranny‘ by
South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre, available at
http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/resources/armed_forces.htm

42
APPENDIX-IV

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1325 ON WOMEN, PEACE AND

SECURITY

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1261 (1999) of 25 August 1999, 1265 (1999) of 17 September 1999, 1296 (2000)
of 19 April 2000 and 1314 (2000) of 11 August 2000, as well as relevant statements of its President and
recalling also the statement of its President, to the press on the occasion of the United Nations Day for
Women's Rights and International Peace of 8 March 2000 (SC/6816),

Recalling also the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (A/52/231) as well
as those contained in the outcome document of the twenty-third Special Session of the United Nations
General Assembly entitled "Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the twenty-
first century" (A/S-23/10/Rev.1), in particular those concerning women and armed conflict,

Bearing in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the primary
responsibility of the Security Council under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace
and security,

Expressing concern that civilians, particularly women and children, account for the vast majority of
those adversely affected by armed conflict, including as refugees and internally displaced persons,
and increasingly are targeted by combatants and armed elements, and recognizing the consequent
impact this has on durable peace and reconciliation,

Reaffirming the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-
building, and stressing the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts
for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in
decision- making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution,

Reaffirming also the need to implement fully international humanitarian and human rights law that
protects the rights of women and girls during and after conflicts,

Emphasizing the need for all parties to ensure that mine clearance and mine awareness programmes
take into account the special needs of women and girls,

Recognizing the urgent need to mainstream a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations, and in
this regard noting the Windhoek Declaration and the Namibia Plan of Action on Mainstreaming a
Gender Perspective in Multidimensional Peace Support Operations (S/2000/693),

Recognizing also the importance of the recommendation contained in the statement of its President to
the press of 8 March 2000 for specialized training for all peacekeeping personnel on the protection,
special needs and human rights of women and children in conflict situations,

Recognizing that an understanding of the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, effective
institutional arrangements to guarantee their protection and full participation in the peace process can
significantly contribute to the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security,

Noting the need to consolidate data on the impact of armed conflict on women and girls,

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1. Urges Member States to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in
national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and
resolution of conflict;

2. Encourages the Secretary-General to implement his strategic plan of action (A/49/587) calling for an
increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace
processes;

3. Urges the Secretary-General to appoint more women as special representatives and envoys to
pursue good offices on his behalf, and in this regard calls on Member States to provide candidates to
the Secretary-General, for inclusion in a regularly updated centralized roster;

4. Further urges the Secretary-General to seek to expand the role and contribution of women in United
Nations field-based operations, and especially among military observers, civilian police, human rights
and humanitarian personnel;

5. Expresses its willingness to incorporate a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations and
urges the Secretary-General to ensure that, where appropriate, field operations include a gender
component;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to provide to Member States training guidelines and materials on
the protection, rights and the particular needs of women, as well as on the importance of involving
women in all peacekeeping and peace-building measures, invites Member States to incorporate these
elements as well as HIV/AIDS awareness training into their national training programmes for
military and civilian police personnel in preparation for deployment and further requests the
Secretary-General to ensure that civilian personnel of peacekeeping operations receive similar
training;

7. Urges Member States to increase their voluntary financial, technical and logistical support for
gender-sensitive training efforts, including those undertaken by relevant funds and programmes, inter
alia, the United Nations Fund for Women and United Nations Children's Fund, and by the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant bodies;

8. Calls on all actors involved, when negotiating and implementing peace agreements, to adopt a
gender perspective, including, inter alia: (a) The special needs of women and girls during repatriation
and resettlement and for rehabilitation, reintegration and post-conflict reconstruction; (b) Measures
that support local women's peace initiatives and indigenous processes for conflict resolution, and that
involve women in all of the implementation mechanisms of the peace agreements; (c) Measures that
ensure the protection of and respect for human rights of women and girls, particularly as they relate to
the constitution, the electoral system, the police and the judiciary;

9. Calls upon all parties to armed conflict to respect fully international law applicable to the rights and
protection of women and girls as civilians, in particular the obligations applicable to them under the
Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols thereto of 1977, the Refugee Convention of
1951 and the Protocol thereto of 1967, the Convention Security Council - 5 - Press Release SC/6942
4213th Meeting (PM) 31 October 2000 on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women of 1979 and the Optional Protocol thereto of 1999 and the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child of 1989 and the two Optional Protocols thereto of 25 May 2000, and to bear in mind
the relevant provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;

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10. Calls on all parties to armed conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from
gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, and all other forms of
violence in situations of armed conflict;

11. Emphasizes the responsibility of all States to put an end to impunity and to prosecute those
responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes including those relating to sexual
violence against women and girls, and in this regard, stresses the need to exclude these crimes, where
feasible from amnesty provisions;

12. Calls upon all parties to armed conflict to respect the civilian and humanitarian character of
refugee camps and settlements, and to take into account the particular needs of women and girls,
including in their design, and recalls its resolution 1208 (1998) of 19 November 1998;

13. Encourages all those involved in the planning for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration
to consider the different needs of female and male ex-combatants and to take into account the needs of
their dependants;

14. Reaffirms its readiness, whenever measures are adopted under Article 41 of the Charter of the
United Nations, to give consideration to their potential impact on the civilian population, bearing in
mind the special needs of women and girls, in order to consider appropriate humanitarian
exemptions;

15. Expresses its willingness to ensure that Security Council missions take into account gender
considerations and the rights of women, including through consultation with local and international
women's groups;

16. Invites the Secretary-General to carry out a study on the impact of armed conflict on women and
girls, the role of women in peace-building and the gender dimensions of peace processes and conflict
resolution, and further invites him to submit a report to the Security Council on the results of this
study and to make this available to all Member States of the United Nations;

17. Requests the Secretary-General, where appropriate, to include in his reporting to the Security
Council, progress on gender mainstreaming throughout peacekeeping missions and all other aspects
relating to women and girls;

18. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

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