Question

Assess the steps taken by the Indian Government due to the volatile situation in the North-East region caused by the Indo-China War.

Answer 1

Steps taken by the Indian Government due to the volatile situation in the North-East region caused by the Indo-China War are as follows:

1. Due to aspirations for autonomy in the North-East, the government assisted the restructuring of states to create the new states that exist today, which was accomplished in 1972.
2. In 1966, the Mizo National Front began a two-decade war against the Indian Army over the desire for secession. After two decades, the Indian government reached an agreement with Mizo leader Laldenga, and Mizoram was awarded full sovereignty. Laldenga became the state’s Chief Minister after the insurgents gave up their struggle.
3. Similarly, in Nagaland, a section of the Nagas declared independence from India under the leadership of Angami Zaphu Phizo, who rejected offers of negotiations. However, following a period of insurgency, they reached an arrangement with the central government, which was not widely supported.
4. Finally, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) launched an anti-foreigners movement in 1979 in response to illegal immigration, Bengali domination, and flawed voter registration. Following around six years of unrest, the late Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the prime minister at the time, began talks and reached a deal in 1985 that called for the deportation of all refugees from the Bangladesh War and beyond.